A runaway win by North Pacific in the Group 3 $160,000 Quincy Seltzer Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Randwick today has seen the colt promoted to the top of the betting for the 2020 Golden Rose Stakes.

James McDonald, above, was aboard North Pacific in winning the Up And Coming Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

James McDonald, above, was aboard North Pacific in winning the Up And Coming Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 26 has the Team Hawkes trained North Pacific marked as the $4 favourite ahead of the Golden Slipper winner Farnan at $6.50 and the Queenslander Rothfire at $8.

“Today is the stepping stone and obviously the Golden Rose is next and he is going to appreciate the 1400m back on his home track,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.

“We have kept him fresh, five weeks in between runs and nothing worries this horse. He is definitely going to get better as he gets older, that is for sure.”

Winning jockey James McDonald had North Pacific ($1.85 favourite) travelling comfortably in fourth position on the heavy 10 track and after angling into the clear in the straight, the Brazen Beau colt careered away from his opposition to record a five and a quarter lengths win.

The David Payne trained Bazooka ($26) ran on for second in front of third placegetter Marsannay ($11).

“James gave him a really good ride and he hit the line supper,” Michael Hawkes said.

“He is lightly raced, he is a lovely colt. We paid $800,000 for him in Melbourne.”

“You have to buy these horses and come out produce them. He is a very exciting colt.”

“The heavy ground was a bit of a query but I still believe he is a better horse on top of the ground.”

“But he is just far superior. He is just a lovely colt. He just does everything right.”

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.