Plagiarism Well Placed at The Weights

Weight rather than raw rating may determine the Gr3 Up And Coming Stakes, where several accomplished juveniles concede a substantial impost to improving three-year-olds at the bottom of the handicap. Plagiarism appeals as the runner best positioned to exploit the conditions after an encouraging third first-up and carries 55kg for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. That performance should have brought him forward significantly, and the early market has responded by making him approximately $3.40-$3.50 favourite. Savagram is the obvious emerging threat. The New Zealand-bred colt created an immediate impression winning on debut and carries just 53kg from barrier three with Tim Clark aboard, giving the Waterhouse-Bott stable a particularly strong two-pronged attack. A lightly raced three-year-old stepping directly from maiden company into Group company invariably carries an element of risk, but the stable's decision to test him here is an indication of the regard in which he is held. Southend possesses considerably more established juvenile form, having won his first two starts before finishing sixth at his final autumn appearance, and returns with 59kg for Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou. Berzelius and Diameter carry the maximum 61kg and therefore face demanding assignments despite having the highest official ratings in the field. Racing NSW lists Diameter at 87 and Berzelius at 86, compared with Plagiarism's 72 and Savagram's 66, illustrating precisely how aggressively the handicap compresses their respective chances. Diameter nevertheless has valuable black-type form and draws barrier two for Tommy Berry, while Berzelius resumes from barrier 11 under Jason Collett and must overcome both top weight and a wide starting position. Joint Venture is another lightly raced improver, winning at his second start and receiving only 53kg, while Genesis Runner has drawn barrier one and could obtain an economical passage at the same weight. The race's honour roll reinforces its importance as an early spring guide: Grand Prairie won last year, Autumn Glow scored in 2024 and Tom Kitten took the 2023 edition, following names including Snitzel, Fastnet Rock and Exceed And Excel historically. Plagiarism combines fitness, tactical speed and a manageable weight and therefore gets the nod, although Savagram's untapped potential makes him a serious danger. Southend appeals as the best of the established runners despite 59kg, while Diameter's class should enable him to remain competitive even under 61kg. Our top four: Plagiarism – Savagram – Southend – Diameter.