Up And Coming Stakes - 2020

2020 Up And Coming Stakes Race Details

Race 7 at Randwick on Saturday 15 August 2020 is the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes.

The Up And Coming Stakes is a 1300 metre handicap race run by the Australian Turf Club at Randwick. It is held during August and is the feature race of the day in Sydney.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Up And Coming Stakes page.

Up And Coming Stakes 2020 Preview

Track: Heavy Weather: Overcast

There is a field of 9 runners for the $160,000 Up And Coming Stakes with two trained by Chris Waller and two trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The early favourite is North Pacific who won his last start by 2.5 lengths. Second favourite is Smart Image who has two wins from two runs and drops 3kg from his last outing. Third favourite is Yardstick who won his only start by a good margin and also drops in weight.

Bravado has a win and a place from two starts and drops 4kg from his last run. Holyfield has 3 wins from 5 starts and has placed in both trials following a 17 week break, so is clearly in with a chance. Sauvestre won narrowly at his only start, and mustn’t be disregarded. Marsannay won his last two starts at Canberra by big margins on a soft and heavy track and is in the mix. Bazooka has been disappointing at all three runs this time in, while Oscar Zulu appears outclassed.

2020 Up And Coming Stakes Runner by Runner

1. Holyfield

He had three wins from five races in his first campaign and has two trials for two places. He is capable of getting into the money.

2. North Pacific

At his first start he came from well back to run 3rd in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes where he ran the best last 400m race sectional. He resumed with a 2.5 length win over 1100m at Rosehill on a heavy track where he ran the best last 600m race sectional of the day at the distance. This colt looks likes he could be something special and I’ll be backing him to win here,

3. Smart Image

He has won both of his starts and although the margins have only been small, a win is still a win. I expect he is quite capable of being in the finish here.

4. Bazooka

This Smart Missile gelding has won on a heavy track at Warwick Farm, but in two tries at Randwick he has finished last of 8 runners and 11 lengths 5th of 8 runners. Others have much better prospects in this race.

5. Sauvestre

One of two runners from the Waller stable, this colt won his only start by a narrow margin, but the leading pair were 6 lengths ahead of the third horse. He might be the suprise package in the race so keep an eye on him.

6. Yardstick

Another colt with one start for one win, this Criterion colt led all the way and won by 1.3 lengths over 1100m at Canterbury on a heavy track. I think he can challenge the favourite and make his presence felt.

7. Marsannay

This colt won by 2.1 lengths over 1200m at Canberra on a soft track, then won by 6.6 lengths over 1400m on a heavy track. It is hard to line the form up, but he is not the worst.

8. Bravado

His first start was a decisive win at Kemble Grange but at his next outing he had a chequered passage and had to survive a protest to maintain his 3rd position over 1200m at Rosehill. Rough hope.