Trainer Mick Price is the first to admit Bel Mer is not as good as either Takeover Target or Apache Cat but he believes she could have the fitness edge to surprise the stars in the TJ Smith Stakes on Saturday.The four-year-old comes into the Group One 1200-metre race at Randwick after a commanding win in the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes over the same distance at Morphettville on March 21.TAB Sportsbet has the mare as the $16 outsider in the six-horse field with Apache Cat the $2.90 favourite

Trainer Mick Price is the first to admit Bel Mer is not as good as either Takeover Target or Apache Cat but he believes she could have the fitness edge to surprise the stars in the TJ Smith Stakes on Saturday.

The four-year-old comes into the Group One 1200-metre race at Randwick after a commanding win in the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes over the same distance at Morphettville on March 21.

TAB Sportsbet has the mare as the $16 outsider in the six-horse field with Apache Cat the $2.90 favourite ahead of Takeover Target at $3.40, The Galaxy winner Nicconi at $4.60, multiple Group One winner Racing To Win at $7 chance and Northern Meteor at $8.50.

The only problem Price has is the prospect of a slow track.

Track manager Dave Hodgson rated the surface a slow six on Friday and with showers forecast overnight, not much improvement is expected.

"I certainly don't trust her on anything worse than dead, so we need some luck in that department," Price said.

"Bel Mer is not as good as Takeover or Apache but they are first-up and racing is a funny game, you can get good results if your horse is right on the day and that's what we're aiming for.

"And small fields can throw up funny results too, as we all know."

Price said bypassing The Galaxy on April 11 was a good move.

"Here she is in a field of six in a Group One $500,000 and she's lovely and fit, that's something she has to her advantage," Price said.

"Takeover Target and Apache are the obvious two but they have to bring their A-game as far as fitness and form are concerned."

Regular rider Craig Newitt does the steering again on Bel Mer who has barrier five.

"She'll camp just off the speed while Takeover Target and Northern Meteor press forward, then we'll see what happens from there, Price said.

Last year Apache Cat beat Takeover Target into third place in the TJ Smith but Takeover Target turned the tables on the baldy-faced chestnut when he beat him in a photo-finish in the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth in November.

Apache Cat hasn't raced since his Group One Australia Stakes win in February and while he is happy with the six-year-old, trainer Greg Eurell says the race is up for grabs.

"I hate small fields and you can make a case for all six runners on Saturday," Eurell said.