GRAFTERBURNERS RUBBER-STAMPS HIS CLASS WITH AN EMPHATIC WIN IN THE $3 MILLION SUNLIGHT PLATE

By Graham Potter | Saturday, January 10, 2026

There can be no doubting that trainer Kelly Schweida has a emerging star on his hands after the already much vaunted Grafterburners took out the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight Three-Year-Old Plate contested over 1110m at the Gold Coast.

Brought into the race via the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott Racing slot-holders in a deal orchestrated by Bruce Slade, the Sunlight was Grafterburners fourth successive win after previously saluting in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap on November 8, in the Magic Millions Pierata Plate a month later on December 6 … and in the Listed Gold Edition on December 20 … which was not only a very fruitful run of results but a set of wins which also translated to a perfect buildup the his big, $3 million race assignment.

There were a couple of subtle differences going into The Sunlight. Those previous three wins were all over 1200m, so there was a step down in distance in The Sunlight to 1110m … and James McDonald was handed the reins this time around, replacing Cejay Graham who had ridden Grafterburners in his last two starts.

Grafterburners, who was always top of the betting boards (he would start at ($2.25), jumped well enough from a favourable draw, held fourth place along the inside, racing a little less than three lengths off the lead in the sweep to the home turn … and then improved to third place at the top of the home straight, seemingly full of running but also in danger of being locked into that inside run without having a clear way out behind the leaders.

With 250m left to go, it was decision time McDonald … and it was a crucial one at that.

Racing behind the two leaders, McDonald wasted no time in exploring two options.

Firstly, he tried to angle Grafterburners out for a stride-and-a-half, but that route was blocked. Recognising the futility of that option, McDonald then quickly turned his attention to an inside run, deftly manoeuvring Grafterburners across heels and into that gap … with the whole two part, two-way action seemingly merging into one movement, executed with the minimum waste of time and with hardly any change to Grafterburners galloping rhythm.

Talk about pulling the right rein.

Grafterburners still had to pick up from there with a number of runners still very much in contention, and that is where eh showed what a real prospect he is, asserting his authority in no uncertain terms between the 150m and 50m to open up a three length advantage by that time, a margin which came down to 1.55 lengths at the line as McDonald eased down on the colt with the race well and truly already won.

“He was outstanding,” said James McDonald. “Credit to Kelly and his team. They turned him out immaculate. He was presented to win. He drew the good gate and put himself in the box seat.

“He’s a very good horse. Nice to ride a beautiful colt.”

Interestingly enough, both the Schweida camp and the Waterhouse / Bott slot holders were going in a different direction before Bruce Slade got involved.

“Bruce Slade did the deal. All credit to Bruce. 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,” said Kelly Schweida.

“We had about four attempts before we got the deal, but they were great to deal with.”

Adrian Bott confirmed they also had been looking elsewhere in the first instance.

“We originally had North England in mind for this race, but we didn’t realise Henry Field had a slot at the time.

“Bruce Slade got to work in November. The local group of owners, Queensland racing … and we secured the slot.

“He’s in great form. Kelly was positive about the horse and he’s prepared so well.”

More articles