Graff’s son passes big test ahead of $2m target

Queensland star Grafterburners is set to extend his Sydney spring raid, with trainer Kelly Schweida confirming a target on the $2m Sydney Stakes after an eye-catching second-up performance at Royal Randwick from the son of Graff.

The Eagle Farm-based four-year-old caught the eye late in Saturday’s Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m), hitting a mid-race flat spot on the Soft 6 track before unleashing a powerful late burst to grab fourth.

While supreme sprinter Tempted put 2.98 lengths on her rivals in a dominant display, Grafterburnersfinished only 0.18 lengths off second-placegetter Savvy Hallie – a performance that gave Schweida plenty of confidence moving forward.

“It would have been a lot better if we’d have run third,” Schweida laughed.

“But no, I thought the run was good. He hit that flat spot second-up, but he’s starting to tighten up, looks good and pulled up good.”

Reflecting on the sheer quality of winner Tempted, Schweida said the winner was “in a league of her own” but he took plenty of pride in how his star stallion stood his ground against Australia’s elite sprinters.

“I think Tempted is the best sprinter in Australia,” Schweida said.

“When you’re racing that class of horse and he’s sort of competing well, you have to be happy. He’s mixing it with the goodies and right where we want him.”