The Civic Stakes wasn’t always the first choice for Grebeni’s next start, but co-trainer Sterling Alexiou believed it might just prove the right fit.
The gelding was being aimed towards the Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday week, however, Alexiou and training partner Gerald Ryan had a rethink and opted to send him around at Randwick this Saturday instead.
“It wasn’t really the plan to run this Saturday. He was going to go to Eagle Farm (Saturday week) and run in the Tatt’s Mile, but we were just a little bit concerned about how the track there walked and how it raced last week,” Alexiou said.
“The drying track (at Randwick) is a big tick for him. He raced well the other day but he is certainly better on top of the ground.”
Grebeni has been racing in great heart, passing a qualification clause for the Big Dance with his runner-up finish in the Muswellbrook Cup in March and notching a gallant third in the Scone Cup two starts ago.
Last time out he beat all but Loch Eagle over 1600m at Randwick and Alexiou doesn’t envisage a slight distance drop causing too many headaches in the Civic Stakes (1400m).
“Probably his best form is around the mile but he’s well suited Saturday and you can expect another consistent run from him,” he said.
“When he’s in a good vein of form he seems to be consistent and hold his form.”
Dylan Gibbons has the mount on Grebeni, who has drawn ideally in barrier five.
The gelding’s last win was at Randwick in December 2023, and while it has been a while between drinks, the five-year-old has managed a top four finish in five of his nine subsequent runs.
“It has been a while, but even this preparation he has won close to $100,000 without winning a race and hopefully another win isn’t far away.”
