EVEREST X-FACTOR
GRAFF’S CLIMB TO TOP
HE is the X-factor horse of The Everest and jockey Brenton Avdulla is hoping Graff’s versatility can help the pair get the job done at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
“He looks pretty straightforward,’’ Avdulla said.
“He can bounce and put himself on speed from a gate or he can be ridden quiet, so he seems to be pretty adaptable. He also handles all conditions and I think he has the right form behind the top three-year-olds.”
Sydney’s reigning champion jockey faces a different scenario to when he ran fourth on retired super sprinter Chautauqua in last year’s inaugural running of the richest race on turf.
It will be the first time Avdulla has ridden the Kris Lees-trained Star Witness colt, who will also be entering unknown territory.
“He’s a bit of an unknown, being the first three-year-old colt to contest The Everest, so we’re not sure how he lines up,” Avdulla said.
“It’s hard to line him up against some proven sprinters who have been up there for a while during the past couple of seasons, and there are mares in form like Viddora.”
Slot-holder Max Whitby secured Graff for The Everest after he performed well against the best three-yearolds in the country. He had a short undefeated juvenile campaign before resuming with an outstanding 2½length win in the Group 2 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill. He then ran a place in the Run To The Rose and Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m).
Lees last night said not even drawing barrier 10 would hurt his runner’s chances.
“I would have liked Graff to draw a bit closer,” he said.
“But I’ll study the field over the next few days. The wide barrier is not too bad for Le Romain. He likes to build up into his race. And the forecast of more rain is good.”
Trapeze Artist was among the favourites in what looks to be a very open race.
“Luck of the draw and the track conditions will play a part but I think it’s a race where anything can win,” Avdulla said. “Redzel is a proven performer and Trapeze Artist is still ticking along well. You have Santa Ana Lane and Shoals racing well, too.”
Avdulla will have to waste only slightly to ride Graff at 53kg, which is 3.5kg less than In Her Time, Viddora and Shoals and 5.5kg less than the older male horses.
“He gets in well under the weight-for-age conditions but he’s going to have to put his best foot forward to be competitive,” Avdulla said.
Godolphin’s Osborne Bulls will jump from barrier five after being promoted to the field with the scratching yesterday of his stablemate Home Of The Brave. The Australian Turf Club, which had selected Home Of The Brave, moved quickly to secure Osborne Bulls who will be ridden by Tommy Berry.