Graff makes Everest pitch

5 min read

By Bren O'Brien

Owner Alan Bell has always had faith that Graff (Star Witness) is worthy of winning one of Australia's best sprint races and after the 4-year-old's impressive trial win at Newcastle on Monday, he is eyeing a chance to press his case for one of the few remaining slots for The Everest.

Bell, and trainer Kris Lees, have never ducked a challenge with Graff, who has contested Group 1 races at four of his past five starts, with his other run a creditable fifth in last year's running of The Everest.

This time 12 months ago, Graff put his name up in lights as one of the most promising 3-year-old colts with an impressive win in the G3 San Domenico S.

As it turned out, it was a particularly tough class to emerge through, and he was subsequently defeated by Lean Mean Machine (Zoustar) in the G2 Run To The Rose and then The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice) and Zousain (Zoustar) when third in the G1 Golden Rose S.

Graff was the only one of that 3-year-old crop to contest The Everest, where he ran under the slot of Max Whitby and Co after their first-choice Menari (Snitzel) went amiss, before he was spelled.

Graff had three runs in the autumn, and again, it was a case of so near, yet so far, fourth, beaten a length in both the G1 Lightning S. and G1 Newmarket Hcp before struggling in the G1 Galaxy.

Star Witness, sire of Graff | Standing at Widden Stud

While a couple of his contemporaries, including The Autumn Sun and Lean Mean Machine, headed to stud, Bell was always keen to see Graff race on at four and secure what he thinks would be a deserved Group 1.

"I've been fortunate enough to have a few good colts and there is always a stud deal there if someone wants to do one. I think it's hard to be fair to both sides, the earlier a horse goes to stud," he said.

"I've been fortunate enough to have a few good colts and there is always a stud deal there if someone wants to do one. I think it's hard to be fair to both sides, the earlier a horse goes to stud." - Alan Bell

"There's usually a winner and a loser if the horse goes to stud earlier in his career. I'm always happy to talk to studs whenever I'm blessed to have a good colt and this horse is on everyone's radar, but as a Group 3 winner, he's not there yet."

"He's only raced in the best grade, certainly as a 3-year-old and he's certainly there to run in the best races (this time in) and he's shown as a 3-year old, it’s worth us running him in them."

Alan Bell is keen to see Graff resume in the G3 Concorde S. at Randwick

It's with that attitude that Bell and Lees will resume Graff in the G3 Concorde S. at Randwick on September 7.

It may be a Group 3 on paper, but looms as a preview to The Everest, to be run at 1200m on the same track six weeks later. There are three horses headed first-up to the Concorde who already have Everest slots in Redzel (Snitzel), Pierata (Pierro) and Sunlight (Zoustar), and they will likely confront Everest aspirants Nature Strip (Nicconi), Osborne Bulls (Street Cry {Ire}) and Zoustyle (Zoustar).

"We were always heading there and there is no reason after this morning's trial not to head there. For a horse that doesn't have an Everest slot yet, it is important for people not to be guessing where their form is, and the Concorde is building as a mini-Everest, and there is a bit of appeal to that assessment of it," Bell said.

Graff took on another Everest runner, his stablemate In Her Time (Time Thief) in Tuesday's trial and sitting deep throughout, put her away late to win by a widening 1.5l on the line, with another of Lees' spring hopes, Gem Song (Your Song) third. Both first and second were under a hold at the end of the 900m trial, which was completed in 55.53s on the good track.

"Both of his trials have been good and he was nice and sharp today, so it was very pleasing. We are looking forward to him resuming off the back of that trial, that's for sure," Bell said.

Bell said there was some physical improvement of Graff over the winter, as he continues to develop.

"I think he's made the usual progress. Everyone wants to tell you how much their horse has improved from one preparation to the next and that can get a little tired," he said.

"He's always been an imposing individual and he's kept progressing physically each time. He's one of those nice yearlings that has continued to go the right way and then some, throughout."