Meursault can make the step up in the Up And Coming Stakes

Godolphin’s number one rider Kerrin McEvoy is looking forward to Meursault making the step up to Group company when he tackles the Group 3 $125,000 Synergy FX Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Meursault is stepping up to Group 3 company in the Up And Coming Stakes.

Meursault is stepping up to Group 3 company in the Up And Coming Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.

The lightly raced Meursault was an impressive winner at his only race start when he raced away to score by three lengths with Christian Reith in the $125,000 Evergreen Turf Claret Stakes (1300m) at Hawkesbury’s standalone metropolitan status meeting on May 3.

McEvoy takes over on Saturday and has rated the Medaglia D’Oro colt as one of his better rides for the day and expects him to handle the rain affected Randwick track.

“He’s an exciting horse and he’s one of my good rides on Saturday in a very competitive race,” McEvoy told the Sportsman.

”He’s a nice big colt and I’d say he might handle some cut in the ground.”

“There are some nice horses in there like Shooting to Win and Better Land, who are both progressive types, Scissor Kick was a nice winner last start.”

McEvoy also has a high opinion of stablemate Kumaon, but the Lonhro colt is a doubtful starter if the track remains in the heavy range for the meeting.

“Kumaon is another who has come up in great order. Both the Godolphin horses are by no means fully wound up so they will improve on what they do first up.”

Kumaon was tested at Group 1 level during the Sydney Autumn Carnival and wasn’t far off the pace when third to Go Indy Go in the  Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 26.

But the start of his Spring Carnival campaign could be put back if more rain arrives at Randwick overnight and the tack remains a heavy 8 or worst.

“If the track stays in that kind of range he would be unlikely,” Godolphin Racing Manager Jason Walsh said.

The Peter Moody trained Better Land has opened the $4.20 favourite for the Up And Coming Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au just ahead of Scissor Kick at $5 and Meursault at $5.50.

Scissor Kick and Better Land have a fitness edge on most of their rivals after finishing first and second in the Listed $100,000 The Rosebud (1200m) at Randwick on August 9.

And Better Land has also proven himself on a heavy track with a three lengths debut maiden win at Sale on April 6.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.