Upbeat victory in Autumn Classic

As one of the elder statesmen of the Darley stallion roster, Strategic is never without a class horse, and three-year-old gelding Upbeat proved that at Caulfield on February 25, scoring a hard fought victory in the G2 Autumn Classic.

After finishing an encouraging fourth a week prior in Sydney, trainer Anthony Cummings sent the gelding to Melbourne for a step up in journey and to Stakes level for the first time.

Jumping away well from a wide gate, jockey Blake Shinn took Upbeat forward to sit outside the leader King's Shilling. As the field rounded the home turn Shinn skipped a few lengths clear, holding on to record a three-quarters of a length victory over Flashy Fella.

Bred by Mr Robert Crabtree, Upbeat is out of the Stakes placed Distant Music mare Silverbeat and comes from the family of G1 winner Zarita, HK-G1 winner Joy And Fun, G2 winner Run Like The Wind and G3 winner Any Rhythm.

The sire of 25 individual Stakes winners, Strategic was a record-breaking Champion on the track and is also the sire of a Champion in multiple G1-winning two-year-old Meurice.

Strategic will be represented by three lots at the Inglis Premier yearling sale which commences on February 27.