Drago To Return In Up And Coming Stakes

Classy colt Drago will begin what is set to be a lengthy 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Group 3 Up  And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

Drago

Drago will return to the races in the Up And Coming Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart

Drago finished fifth in a barrier trial over 1030 metres at Rosehill Gardens this morning, behind Mrs Onassis, Sincero and Criterion, and did enough to convince trainer Anthony Cummings that he was ready to resume this weekend.

“His trial this morning was good, I was happy with that, and he will kick-off in the Up and Coming,” Cummings told TVN after the trial.

The son of Danehill Dancer was competitive at Group 1 level during the autumn, finishing fourth in the both the Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and Champagne Stakes (1600m), and finished his campaign with an impressive four length victory at Rosehill in May.

Cummings is confident that the three-year-old will perform at Group 1 level during the spring and has set his start colt a tough schedule that the Randwick-based trainer hopes will conclude with a start in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m).

After competing in the Up And Coming Stakes on Saturday, Drago will head to the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 14 before taking part in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at the same venue a fortnight later.

He will return to Group 1 level in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 12 and travel to Melbourne for the Victoria Derby on November 2.

The Up And Coming Stakes is set to be an excellent form race for the feature three-year-old races later in the spring with classy colts Vilanova, Diamond Oasis and Champollion all set to resume in the Group 3 event.

Cummings is chasing his second straight victory in the Victoria Derby after winning the $1.5 million race with Fiveandahalfstar last year.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.