Grafterburners all set for Arrowfield

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Kelly Schweida admits he had a “long bottom lip” for several days after Grafterburners' barrier disaster last month.

“It’s a long way to go as favourite for no result,” Schweida said.

“I had a long bottom lip for several days afterwards.”

New South Wales stewards ordered Grafterburners to pass a barrier test before being allowed to start again and he did that with ease at the Gold Coast recently.

“There were no trials on in Brisbane, so I sent him to the Gold Coast and he had no problems passing,” Schweida said.

“I had him vetted, there was no problem there and he went out for a pick of grass for a few days.”

Schweida is now focused on redemption in the Group 2 Arrowfield at Randwick on Saturday with Damian Lane booked to partner the three-year-old.

“I think Damian is a star and is one of the best jockeys in Australia,” Schweida said.

“But, Grafterburners will be going into The Everest first-up now and he hasn’t raced for three months.

“I’ve had a bit of luck with Damian in the past. 

"He won The Wave for me on Miss Joelene.”

Despite Grafterburners' recent setback, Schweida is hopeful of a strong performance.

“The Galaxy was his race as he only had 50.5kg but now he’s got to carry 56.5kg and he’s up against Tempted who ran second in The Everest,” he said.

“But, it was always the plan to run in the Galaxy and then the Arrowfield on Saturday.”

While Schweida has all fingers and toes crossed there won’t be a repeat of Grafterburners barrier disaster in the Galaxy, he’s yet to discuss his immediate future with the colt’s owners.

“It all depends how he goes in the Arrowfield where we head next with him,” he said.

“The carnival in Queensland is just around the corner and depending how he goes on Saturday, there might be a nice couple of races here for him.

“The (Group 1) Doomben 10,000 might be a nice race to start off with him.”

The Group 1 Doomben 10,000 over 1200 metres is the first Group 1 of the Queensland Racing Carnival this year.

Grafterburners is attempting to become the first Queenslander to win the Arrowfield since the then John Wallace-trained Shoot Out was successful in 2010.