Brian McGrath chasing more city riches

Cranbourne trainer Brian Mcgrath did not realise the significance of his maiden Flemington win until he awoke to find a raft of messages on his phone.

D’Jumbuck’s win last Saturday at ‘headquarters’ was McGrath’s maiden Saturday city win after seven victories at midweek level, all at Sandown.

“I’ve had winners in town, but for some reason my phone was lighting up in the middle of the night from people I worked with, or met, in Ireland, England, France, America, places like that,” McGrath said.

“There is obviously better coverage on Flemington races than the midweeks.”

Welcoming a win at Flemington would usually be a cause of celebration, but McGrath was subdued and went home to help put his two young sons to bed before enjoying a celebratory glass of wine.

“It was very quiet, but very satisfying,” McGrath said.

“I was surprised by the coverage the win got actually, but it was very nice.”

McGrath is hoping to land another city win when he saddles last start winner Shanghai Venture in the Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday.

Shanghai Venture is a half-sister, by Akeed Mofeed, to D’Jumbuck and McGrath is using Wednesday’s race as a potential guide to something later in the campaign

“We’re really pleased that she broke through last time and we’ve decided to go back to Sandown where her last three runs have been,” McGrath said.

“Her form there has been good, so we thought we’d come back here and try her over 1400 metres as we decided we might learn something by stepping her up to 1400 metres.

“If she was to run well over that distance, it would open a few more doors for her and potentially even a three-year-old filly’s stakes race later in the campaign.

“She’s done well since her win, and we gave her a little tick-over jump-out at Cranbourne last week.

“We wanted to give her a quiet trial and she ran home very well behind Jacquinot, of all horses. She showed her well-being there and we’re looking forward to seeing what she can do tomorrow.”

McGrath also has Anchorman engaged on Wednesday in the Ladbrokes Punter Assist Handicap (1600m), but he is expecting the trip to be too short.

As for D’Jumbuck, McGrath hopes to see the sprinter back at Flemington on February 18 contesting a benchmark 84 grade race over 1200m.