BOOM colt Sumarand is striving to become More Than Ready’s 103rd stakeswinner when he’s put to the test in tomorrow’s Up and Coming Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm.
Despite the Gai Waterhouse trained youngster bouncing straight out of a provincial maiden into Group 3 company, punters have shown incredible faith in the youngster’s ability – backing him into a pronounced $2.10 to take out the feature.
Sumarand races in the colours of Segenhoe Stud owner Kevin Maloney.
Segenhoe’s bloodstock manager, former Group 1 trainer Bill Mitchell, is confident Sumarand can measure up in his big test this weekend.
“He looks like a pretty promising horse. Gai’s very pleased with him and he couldn’t have done much better, we just hope he can keep on improving,” said Mitchell.
“It took him a while for the penny to drop, but he’s pretty genuine now and seems to know what it’s all about.
“He’s got a beautiful pedigree, he’s by More Than Ready out of a sister to Grand Armee and it would be fantastic for him to get some black-type.”
The Up and Coming boasts a fabulous honour roll including Marscay, Sir Dapper, Best Western, Mahogany, General Nediym (rained by Bill Mitchell), Sky Chase, Exceed And Excel and Snowland.
The race was won in 1999 by Vinery resident Testa Rossa who accounted for the likes of Golden Slipper runner-up Align and Bob Thomsen’s champion chestnut Shogun Lodge.
