Up And Coming Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft 5 – Good 4 Weather: Mostly Fine.

Eleven runners have accepted for the $200,000 Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes and there have been no early scratchings. The Chris Waller stable and the Michael Freedman stable have two runners entered for the event each, whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Conqueror has opened the $3.70 favourite for the 1300m event. He is coming off an okay run in weaker company last time out where he ended up at the rear of the field before making a sweeping run and finishing 2.2 lengths back in second. He has since trialled and should be ready for this assignment second-up.

Kibou is on the next line of betting at $4.40. He was 1.6 lengths off Zoukerino in fourth last time out in the Rosebud, where he sat outside the lead on a decent pace. He won’t mind the step up in distance and should be able to find the lead from the outside gate.

Shalatin rounds out the top three in betting at $6.50. He entered this race first up following a winless start to his career, placing twice in five career starts thus far. He has had three trials since due to the delayed start.

1. Williamsburg (6)

Returning after 133 days. Had a decent preparation with a win in the Group 3 Schweppervescence and the Listed Fernhill before placing in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes. Historically, it’s tough to win this race first-up, but he should run a massive race.

2. Basquiat (5)

Returning after 77 days. Won his maiden last preparation before diving into the deep end, running fifth in the Group 1 JJ Atkins. Trialled twice in preparation for this, but I reckon they are targeting further, so expect him to be hitting the line.

3. Shalatin (4)

Returning after 147 days. He is yet to win a race in five starts and had his preparation delayed due to weather. Three trials in ensures he should be ready to go first up but I think he will be looking for further this preparation.

4. Lethal Thoughts (9)

Returning after 77 days. Won his maiden well first up at Sale before heading to an Open 2yo race and placing behind Brosnan. He finished his preparation with a 1.3 length sixth in the Group 1 JJ Atkins when he raced four wide. Two trials in to get ready for this, and could run a decent race.

5. Ringmaster (1)

Returning after 77 days. Placed in the Phoenix at Eagle Farm last preparation before running 2.1 lengths back in seventh in the Group 1 JJ Atkins when running three wide. Drawn ideally here but another who may be looking for a bit further.

6. Backrower (3)

Tremendous return first up in weaker grade. Finished off well and ran the ninth quickest final 200m of the meeting. He has the blinkers on first time and was held up near the 300m, which may have hindered his chance of winning. I love the set up for him on Saturday and should run a big race once again.

7. Golden Mile (7)

Returning after 144 days. He was tipped out last preparation after winning a maiden race at Ballarat. Has trialled twice since but there isn’t a lot to go off, so he will be more a watch and learn.

8. Kibou (11)

He was 1.6 lengths off Zoukerino in fourth last time out in the Rosebud, where he sat outside the lead on a decent pace. He won’t mind the step up in distance and should be able to find the lead from the outside gate. Should be fighting this one out, but more a place chance.

9. Hell I Am (10)

Probably the fittest runner in this race as he enters this one fourth up. Won his maiden well three back before putting in a plain one against better opposition. He then went to Canterbury and put in a brilliant effort that rated well. Drawn awkwardly for his pattern, but I think this can benefit him as I think he will have more of a finish if he can relax and get cover.

10. Voldemort (8)

He has had two starts this preparation and just hasn’t come back the same. I can’t have on recent efforts.

11. Conqueror (2)

Ran a solid race first up despite being tardy out and settling near the rear. Probably peaked a touch late in the race before finishing off well when 2.2 lengths back in second. Drawn okay here and has trialled since to blow out the cobwebs. Clearly the one to beat.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
11 Conqueror	8 Kibou
8 Kibou	11 Conqueror
2 Basquiat	9 Hell I Am
3 Shalatin	7 Golden Mile

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8 Kibou
2nd	7 Golden Mile	2.18 lengths
3rd	2 Basquiat	5.58 lengths
4th	5 Ringmaster	6.29 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: 6. Backrower, 9. Hell I Am, 11. Conqueror.

Conqueror was a late scratching after rearing in the barriers.