Kelly Schweida, the trainer, has revealed that he turned down an offer for an Everest slot for Grafterburners to concentrate on the $2 million consolation race, a decision that has proven to be a masterstroke, with the colt claiming a thrilling Sydney Stakes victory at Randwick.
The Queensland trainer felt his charge would be competing for a secondary prize against the likes of Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising and the resilient mare Tempted in the $20 million feature and would be better placed in a race on the undercard.
“We got offered a slot, to be honest, but we thought… the good horse (Ka Ying Rising) would win it, Tempted had beaten us fair and square a couple of times, so we elected to go this way with the prizemoney, and we didn’t have to share it with anyone,” Schweida said.
Grafterburners ($6.50) was a dominant force in a strong Sydney Stakes (1200m) field, surging to the lead under Nash Rawiller in the straight and running out a 1-1/2 length winner over Marhoona ($5.50 favourite) with Overpass ($7) a further half-neck away in third.
Having lost the chance at a Group 1 win during the autumn when he was scratched at the barriers prior to The Galaxy (1100m), Schweida is now keen to take Grafterburners to Melbourne for next month’s Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington.
“Really good effort, and if he pulls up all right, I wouldn’t mind having a crack at that race in Melbourne in a few weeks,” Schweida said.
“He needs a Group One, being a colt. That race last year was The Galaxy and he had a little hissy-fit (when scratched at the barriers). That was his Group One that we thought got away from us.”
“But he showed today what he’s capable of doing, and they were pretty good horses there today and he was strong through the line.”
Rawiller stated that Grafterburners had the race in his keeping a long way out and achieved the victory with ease.
“What a beautiful horse,” Rawiller said.
“He got to show what he is made of. We were curled up there and let go with one run. He was awesome, really.”
This win in the Sydney Stakes marks a significant achievement for Grafterburners, potentially paving the way for a Group 1 campaign in Melbourne.
Grafterburners’ impressive performance in the Sydney Stakes has the racing world buzzing, and you can find competitive racing betting markets available at sports betting providers.