An unexpected approach encouraged a turn in direction and a significant change of fortune for trainer Kelly Schweida and the connections of boom colt Grafterburners with victory in the second running of the Magic Millions Sunlight 3yo Plate at Gold Coast.
For the slot owned by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the $3 million 1100m dash, bloodstock specialist Bruce Slade sought Grafterburners ($2.25F) with a deal done to secure the runner of choice.
“All credit to Bruce,” Schweida said.
“We were going to go to a different option before we got the slot. We were going to go to the Vo Rogue but this will do.”
Grafterburners overcame difficulties in the straight to make a run along the rail with James Mcdonald aboard having freshly returned from a stint in Hong Kong.
McDonald described the winner of six of his 12 starts so far as ‘outstanding’ and the son of sprinter Graff has lucrative options ahead.
“He’s eligible for the million-dollar race that El Morzillo won down the Flemington straight but he’s also eligible for a half-million dollar Jewel here for QTIS horses,” Schweida said.
“That is hard to knock back.”
GRAFTERBURNERS WINS THE SUNLIGHT 🟠🟣
Some nervous moments at the top of the straight, but J-Mac weaved his magic and the favourite was all too good!@mcacajamez @schweidaracing pic.twitter.com/qhf4oiGwic
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) January 10, 2026
Article – as published on 7news.com
Image – Darren Winningham (HRO)