Last season Private Harry, then trained by Nathan Doyle, successfully made the jump from winning the rich $3 million Sunlight at the Gold Coast to claiming Group 1 glory in The Galaxy at his next start.
Now, the Kelly Schweida-trained Grafterburners will attempt to replicate that lucrative double.
Private Harry was unbeaten through five starts when he captured The Galaxy, and while Grafterburners does not boast a perfect overall record, he arrives in red-hot form. A win on Saturday would be his fifth in succession and extend an already impressive unbeaten run this preparation since resuming on November 8 following a four-and-a-half month spell.
Even before his current winning streak, the son of Graff had shown above-average ability. He claimed the QTIS Two-Year-Old Jewel at the Gold Coast, finished fourth in the $2 million Inglis Millennium at Randwick, and was third in the Group 2 Champagne Classic at Doomben, beaten less than half a length by Cool Archie.
Grafterburners has now delivered on that early promise, but Saturday’s assignment in Group 1 company shapes as a genuine acid test.
The Brisbane-based colt has been afforded some relief at the barrier draw, coming up with gate eight, while fellow Queenslander Pembrey drew barrier nineteen in the Golden Slipper. Still, with a capacity field of fourteen runners, there will be little margin for error.
Adding to the challenge is the depth of opposition, with ten of his thirteen rivals bringing greater race experience, many already proven at Group 1 and Group 2 level.
However, a significant advantage in Grafterburners’ favour is the weight. He will carry the minimum of 50.5kg, receiving between 1kg and as much as 8.5kg from his rivals.
If weight can stop trains, a light weight can certainly propel a horse, and that advantage is reflected in the market with Grafterburners currently a $4.60 favourite for The Galaxy.
With a favourable draw and advantageous weight conditions, Grafterburners is set to get every chance to claim a breakthrough Group 1 victory, and if he produces his best, he may prove very hard to run down.
Punters looking to back Grafterburners can compare odds and offers across leading Australian betting sites.
