Chris Waller’s Group 1 winning colt Press Statement headlines the nominations for the Group 3 $125,000 Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The Chris Waller trained Press Statement heads the nominations for the Up And Coming Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Press Statement is one of twelve three year olds nominated for the Group 3 Quality Handicap which with stablemate Devil Hawk also among the entries which have been extended until 11am on Tuesday, August 18, 2015.
A multiple Group 1 Spring Carnival assignment is in the pipeline for Press Statement who will be having his first start since winning the Group 1 $600,000 BMW Australia J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Doomben at the end of his two year old season during the 2015 Brisbane Winter Carnival.
Press Statement’s first major Spring Carnival goal will be the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 12 and then Waller is toying with the idea of running him in the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31.
Waller has won the last two Coolmore Stud Stakes with 2013 Golden Rose Stakes winner Zoustar Star and with the brilliant Brazen Beau last year.
“We’ve had success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes for the past two years so I think that’s where he will probably go,” Waller told AAP.
Devil Hawk will be stepping up sharply in class after a easy two lengths win in Maiden company at Canterbury last week.
Gary Portelli’s smart colt Sebring Sun is also nominated for the Up And Coming Stakes and made a winning debut in his three year old season with a one length victory in the Listed $100,000 The Rosebud (1200m) at Randwick on August 8.
The Gary Nickson trainer Volier and Ron Quinton’s Let’s Make It Rain finished second and third to Sebring Sun in The Rosebud are set to clash again in the Up And Coming Stakes.
John O’Shea has nominated two year old winner Shards, a colt by Medgalia D’Oro, and Doomsday filly Italy who is also nominated for the Group 2 $175,000 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) for the fillies on Saturday.
Thorn Park three year old Speith is yet to face the starter but has shown plenty of ability as he heads towards the Up And Coming Stakes with a four and quarter lengths win in a 1050m Randwick barrier trail on July 31.
Other three year olds nominated for the Up And Coming Stakes are the Gabrielle Englebrecht trained Cannyescent, Land’s End from the Gerald Ryan stable and Paul Perry’s Tatoosh.
