A good day’s racing at Randwick this Saturday will commence with the running of the G3 Up and Coming Stakes, one of five Group races on the program. Punters believe Sebring Sun, who is aiming for three straight wins, can emulate last year’s winner of this race Scissor Kick, who went on to ran a remarkable second in the G1 Golden Rose at his following start, and claim the Rosebud/Up and Coming double. He is $2.50 in early markets to do so ahead of Shards ($4.40) and Voilier ($6.50). Interesting runner of the race is Cannyescent whose only start to date saw him victorious in a Goulburn Maiden. He has been kept safe despite the jump in class and is $7.00, along with Inner Circle ($9.00), the only other runners under double figures.
1. SEBRING SUN – J Bowman (5) 58kgs
Couldn’t have been more impressive in his two wins back from a spell, the most recent a comfortable length victory in the Listed Rosebud (1200m). Settled midfield and always had their measure in the straight and whilst he meets a few from that race again worse at the weights, he still had more to offer for mine last start and can win again.
2. VOILIER – B Shinn (2) 58kgs
Got the perfect run in the Listed Rosebud, his second run back from a break, but was no match for Sebring Sun over the final 100m, and finished second (1 length). Maps as though he’ll get another good run here and whilst he does meet Sebring Sun 2kgs better at the weights, not sure that’ll be enough for him to turn the tables. Will be competitive all the same.
3. SHARDS – (1) 56kgs
Godolphin colt who has had an eight week break since registering his first win in a 2yo Open handicap at Rosehill back June. Started the short-priced favourite that day after showing good ability at his previous two starts and was too good for Quick Ransom late, winning by ¾ of a length. Has the makings and support requited to be a nice colt and will be prominent throughout from the inside gate.
4. INNER CIRLE – T Clark (6) 56kgs
The Street Cry colt was doing his best work late when resuming on a heavy track at Canterbury four weeks back. It was a leaders’ dominated race on that day and the form out of it has stacked up pretty well. He’ll appreciate being a back on a firmer surface but would think from gate six he settles in behind them and whilst he hasn’t been far away in previous attempts, he has find himself a length or two behind them at this level in the past.
5. LAND’S END – B Avdulla (8) 56kgs
Recorded a solid win in a Warwick Farm maiden (1300m) on debut before finishing fifth (4.4 lengths) three weeks ago behind the in-form Kimberley Star in Open company. The Fastnet Rock colt was left a bit flat-footed turning for home last start and was buffeted between runners late. Wouldn’t mark his last effort too harshly but this is a step up in grade again and from his wide draw, will be giving them a start over the rise.
6. TATOOSH – D Beasley (3) 56kgs
Has been finding the line in each of his past three starts, the most of which was a fifth (2.6 lengths) in the Listed Rosebud behind Sebring Sun, so the bit of extra ground of this event should be in his favour. He won’t, or shouldn’t, have to do much from the jump to find a nice run and a bit of speed on up front could see him sneak a place at odds.
7. MAN OF CHOICE – T Berry (4) 56kgs
Came from near last to score his maiden win at Kembla Grange when resuming from a spell recently before again closing well late, to finish third (3.1 lengths), behind Kimberley Star over 1400m. Both runs back for this Manhattan Rain gelding have been promising but he would have had to have improved again from that run three weeks back, to be running down a tougher field here.
8. CANNYESCENT – K O’Hara (7) 56kgs
As expected after two good trial wins, the Canny Lad gelding started a short-priced favourite for his debut at Goulburn just over two weeks ago and didn’t disappoint. He settled just off midfield but made light work of picking up his opponents in the straight, going on to record a length and a half win. Will need to come from behind again here after drawing seven and whilst better things may be in store for him, the jump from Goulburn maiden to G3 Randwick may be a bit too far.
RACE OVERVIEW –
Think there’s still some improvement to come with Sebring Sun and his win in the Missile was soft on the line. Step up in distance is a help and happy to stick with him here. Voilier is an honest galloper and will again enjoy the run of the race and can figure in the placings along with Shards and for some value, Tatoosh.
1. SEBRING SUN
2. VOILIER
3. SHARDS
4. TATOOSH