Matias’ Grand Prix win sparks Sydney carnival hopes

By Mandy Cottell (Racing & Sports)

Gerald Ryan will mull over a Sydney autumn carnival tilt for progressive three-year-old Matias following his barnstorming win in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm.

After breaking his maiden at Hawkesbury last time out when ridden close to the speed, Matias ($7) was allowed to find his feet in Saturday's 1800m race and rattled home out wide to score a runaway win.

Ryan said the gelding had excuses at his first two campaign runs in Sydney, and it was class that carried him through to his maiden win last start when he was ridden against his preferred pattern.

"He didn't like the real heavy track at Rosehill. He was unlucky at Canterbury. He won well the other day, but he was ridden too close to the lead," Ryan told Sky Racing.

"I don't know about stretching him further at this stage of his career. I wouldn't mind taking him home and giving him a break, not a long break, and seeing if he can measure up in the autumn."

By Snitzel out of 2019 Victorian Oaks placegetter Never Listen, Matias has inherited a measure of his dam's stamina.

Winning jockey Michael Rodd said he hadn't been sure what to expect off the horse's Sydney form and was blown away by the ease of his win.

"That was really impressive," Rodd said.

"Watching his replays down south, he's by Snitzel, he's out of an Oaks-placing mare. You're not sure what to expect.

"Gerald said ride him back a bit today. We had our hand forced anyway. He was a little bit slow out and horses came either side of us and popped us out the back. It was a blessing. They went along really quick, and he was loving the gallop."

Promising Queensland-trained three-year-old Grafterburners was also to the fore at Eagle Farm, bringing up a hat-trick of wins in the Gold Edition Plate (1200m).

Trainer Kelly Schweida confirmed he would now be freshened for the Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast on January 10, the lure of the race's $3 million prizemoney purse too good to knock back.

"We will go to the slot race now," Schweida said.

"The Vo Rogue might have suited him, but it's (Sunlight) a $3 million race so that's where we will go."

Grafterburners ($1.90 fav) scored by a length over Sylph ($10), who was doing her best work late, with Icarian Dream ($11) third.