When things are going right, there’s often no reason to change, and that sentiment rings especially true for punters who’ve been backing Michael Grantham’s team of late.
The North Dandalup-based trainer has been in sparkling form, racking up a host of winners in recent weeks, including multiple victories in the distinctive cerise and white silks of owner Bob Peters.
One of the stable’s standout performers is Opportunistic, who will aim to remain unbeaten when he contests Saturday’s Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m). Grantham has a strong history with this race, having claimed it twice in the past three seasons.
Undefeated from two starts, Opportunistic heads to the Guineas following a sharp win in the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Bunbury, where he fought off Elite Missile late to score by a neck.
Grantham has had a booming month with 10 winners in June alone, including a treble at Pinjarra. His tally of 32 city wins this season has him in sixth place on the WA trainers’ premiership, narrowly trailing Dan Morton.
Despite the impressive results, Grantham humbly credits his team for the success.
“All the horses are going well,” Grantham told Tabradio. “The team behind me are always up first, out there doing all the hard work and I’m taking all the credit for it. It’s a big team effort and it’s going well.”
Opportunistic is already making waves, and Grantham is eager to see how he performs before deciding on a summer campaign.
“He’s done nothing wrong, he’s a pretty cool customer at home,” Grantham said. “He’ll have his final gallop on Wednesday and has done everything right.
“Going forward we are going to be at set weight and penalties now, so we meet everyone equal. It will be a lot tougher for him, but it will give us some confidence to see what he can do.
“If he does go well, you know that we’re putting him away for a reason and come back for the summer.”
Grantham has a solid recent record in the Belmont Guineas, having won it with Luvnwar in 2023 and Devoted in 2022. He also has a runner at Northam this Wednesday, with Midnight Star shaping as a strong hope in the opening event.
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