Tulloch Lodge prepares the top two horses in early markets for the Up And Coming Stakes and they could hardly be more different.
Plagiarism is a well-seasoned three-year-old with five runs under his belt, while the untapped Savagram only made his debut earlier this month with a dominant all-the-way win at Canterbury.
The pair clash in Saturday’s Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill with Savagram an early $4.20 favourite, ahead of Plagiarism at $4.40, while stablemate Savvy Diamond is also being kept safe as a $10 chance.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott can make cases for both, noting Plagiarism has taken significant benefit from his first-up third to Steel Will at Rosehill earlier this month carrying 60kg.
“That wasn’t the original first-up run for him. We had him in an easier maiden race option, so the 1300 first-up might have just told late with that weight, but the race had a good bit of depth to it,” Bott said.
“He’ll improve off it. He meets our other filly (Savvy Diamond) much better at the weights and he’s in good order.
“He’s got the benefit of having had a couple of racing seasons and preparations.”
A half-brother to Australian Derby winner and barn mate Major Beel, Savagram has shown enough quality to be propelled into stakes grade at his second start.
A progressive colt, his pedigree suggests he will blossom once he steps out to a mile and beyond, with Bott nominating the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) as a potential long-range campaign goal.
“The Spring Champ could be the grand final we want to try to get to,” he said.
“We are still step by step and we’re going to keep it open and be a bit reactive in terms of where we go with him.
“The important thing is, he’s ready to step up and hopefully that’s what we keep seeing from him each run.”
Savvy Diamond is also a fresh horse on the scene, making a winning debut at Goulburn on August 3 before closing for second to Steel Will last start.
Bott says she is still learning and will take further benefit from Saturday’s experience as she heads towards the final two races in the Princess Series.
“Her plan has always been to link back into the Princess Series once they step out to 1400 metres in the Tea Rose (Stakes), and then onto the Flight Stakes,” Bott said.
“She still did a few things wrong last start, so that’s why we wanted to give her a bit more racing experience in this grade before she links in with those better class fillies.
“She’s up and going, she’s got fitness on her side, and she ran well last start.”
The Up And Coming Stakes boasts some handy winners on its honour roll including Autumn Glow (2024), Tom Kitten (2023), Snitzel (2005) and Fastnet Rock (2004).
