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By Ray Hickson

Tim Clark is happy enough with the underdog tag Shoals carries heading into Saturday’s $2.5m TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) but is quick to point out her credentials.

Chief among them is the fact just six months ago the mare started favourite in the $13m The Everest against many of the rivals she will face in the Group 1 sprint at Randwick this weekend.

Shoals has only had one start since The Everest, where she struggled in the heavy ground, and finished a closing second behind TJ equal favourite Trapeze Artist in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) four weeks ago.

“It's not going to be an easy race but she did start favourite in an Everest so that speaks highly of her ability,’’ Clark said.

“She had a bit of a gut buster two weeks before the Everest, maybe that was something.

“She's had a good build up to this race so we put that behind us.’’

Punter’s Intelligence data reveals Shoals ran her last 600m in the Canterbury Stakes in 33.11 which was bettered only by Pierata’s 32.92.

Shoals runs second to Trapeze Artist at Randwick on March 9

Prior to the barrier draw Shoals is a $13 chance with TAB, which places her seventh favourite, behind Trapeze Artist and Osborne Bulls.

Since the Canterbury, Shoals had an easy time running third in a 1045m trial at Randwick last Friday.

“It was a bit of a maintenance gallop really, just to keep her ticking over,’’ Clark said.

“She's in great order, she trialled up probably as good as she will trial. She can be a bit lazy at times but she really dragged me through the line.’’

Clark said he can’t believe Shoals has been overlooked in discussion around the TJ Smith considering she pulled a couple of lengths of Trapeze Artist who posted a new 1300m track record.

“I thought she ran really well first-up it was just unfortunate she missed the run in the Oakleigh Plate,’’ he said.

“If she’d have gone into that race second-up she'd have gone close to winning. She's had the benefit of that run and the trial so she's going to present in good order and ready to go.

“There are plenty of good sprinters around so there's nowhere to hide.’’

The TJ Smith is shaping as the scene stealing race of Derby Day, Day 1 of The Championships, with the Everest trifecta returning – Redzel, Trapeze Artist, Osborne Bulls – plus Santa Ana Lane, Pierata. Vega Magic, Ball Of Muscle and the star filly Sunlight.

All the entries, form and replays for Day 1 of The Championships at Royal Randwick