Group 1 targets await emerging sprinter Grafterburners after a brilliant win in Saturday night’s $3 million TAB Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast.
The stunning son of Graff started the $2.25 favourite and maintained his unbeaten record as a three-year-old when he exploded away from his rivals in the final 200m of the $3 million slot race.
Champion jockey James McDonald found the box seat behind the leader on Grafterburners and, while there were a few nervous moments when a run closed at the top of the straight, he reverted to an inside run to plot a path to victory.
Brad Widdup’s $71 bolter Nashville Jack was second, a length-and-a-half in arrears, while Sylph ran third for Michael Freedman and Zac Lloyd.
McDonald said the colt is all quality and appears destined for the elite level.
“He was outstanding,” McDonald said.
“Credit to Kelly (Schweida) and his team, they turned him out in immaculate order.
“He drew a good gate and he put himself in the box seat, he did everything he was asked and he’s just a good horse.
“It’s always a great Carnival to be a part of and it’s nice to win on a beautiful colt like this.”
The win capped a huge night for trainer Kelly Schweida, who also won the TAB Magic Millions The Wave with fairytale mare Miss Joelene.
He said the decision to engage McDonald to ride Grafterburners was vindicated.
The three-year-old, who was racing on the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott slot in The Sunlight, was bred in Queensland by Canning Downs.
“We got the gun ride off JMac, what do you expect,” Schweida said.
“He (McDonald) is a star.
“Better Than Ready was a pretty good colt, he won the Brian Crowley and broke Northern Meteor’s track record but this guy (Grafterburners) will do for now.
“He’s a pretty boy and I’m really proud of him.”
Grafterburners is the best so far by Kitchwin Hills based Graff, a Group winnign son of Star Witness that stands at a fee of $9,900.
The lone yearling by Graff in the catalogue for next week's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale will be offered by North Bloodstock as Lot 862 on Friday.
Like last year's winner of this race Private Harry, Grafterburners was bought from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale with his trainer paying $70,000 for the colt offered by Canning Downs.
Bred by Canning Downs, he is th best of five winners from six to race from Coralina, an unraced half-sister by Dylan Thomas (IRE) to Golden Slipper winner Overreach, the dam of Swettenham Stud's young Grou[p winnign sire Lofty Strike.
Coralina has not had a living foal since Grafterburners and was covered last spring by Spirit of Boom.
