Graff (like the famous diamond brand) is the hot favourite for this year’s installment of The Golden Rose Stakes. Despite being caught wide throughout the Run To The Rose, he was runner up behind Chris Waller’s Lean Mean Machine.
If his jockey Collett plays his cards right, he should be able to settle him in a lovely position from barrier four and go home with the Cup.
However Chris Waller is not likely to leave the newly minted Everest trainer (Graff’s trainer Kris Lees is now also the trainer for the Everest runner In Her Time) without a tough challenge. Lean Mean Machine will be looking for a rematch.
The tough Zoustar colt almost lost his balance in the Run To The Rose and still managed to claim victory.
Seabrook is a definitely the wild-card in the field. She will have to step up in class if she wants to best the seasoned players though.
Santos is just back after a break. He ran well in the Heritage Stakes last Saturday and should do quite well in this one.
Snowden trained Tcahikovsky failed to fire in the San Domenico Stakes. He ran a good barrier trail post that incident but he really may be outclassed here.
Althoug Zousain was the disappointing runner in The Run To The Rose, he had his reasons and he should be better for it in this edition having learned from his errors. Jonker can be another strong wild-card if he can hold off the real rivals Lean Mean Machine and Graff.
The Lees’ versus Waller clash should be an interesting watch.
Click here to watch winner race Golden Rose Stakes 2017
1st Trapeze Artist (J: Tye Angland ) T: Gerald Ryan), 2nd Champagne Cuddles (J: Jason Collett T: Bjorn Baker), 3rd Menari (J: Joshua Parr T: Gerald Ryan),4th Gold Standard (J: Tommy Berry T: Gai Waterhouse And Adrian Bot)
1. Lean Mean Machine (J: T Angland T: Chris Waller), 2. The Autumn Sun (J: K Mcevoy T: Chris Waller ), 3. Zousain (J: J Mcdonald T: Chris Waller), 4. Graff (J: J Collett T: Kris Lees), 5. Sandbar (J: C Brown T: Brad Widdup), 6. Santos (J: T Clark T: G Waterhouse & B Widdup), 7. Jonker (J: B Avdulla T: David Atkins), 8. Long Leaf (J: J Parr T: Lindsay Park ), 9. Danawi (J: Tbc T: Tim Martin), 10. Tchaikovsky (J: Tbc T: P & P Snowden), 11. Seabrook (J: D Oliver T: Mick Prie)
Distance:1,400 metres, Surface:Turf, Track:Right-handed, Qualification:Three year old, Weight:Set weights,Colts & geldings: 561⁄2kg,Fillies: 541⁄2kg, Purse:A$1,000,000 (2018)
Credit: Ritesh Jamkhedkar ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretariatsworld.com