Michael Grantham is proving hard to beat lately, and punters are reaping the rewards of sticking with the in-form trainer, who continues to churn out winners in WA racing.
The North Dandalup-based horseman is enjoying a purple patch and will be aiming for more success with unbeaten galloper Opportunistic in the Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.
Grantham already boasts two Belmont Guineas wins in the last three years, and the promising Opportunistic gives him a strong shot at making it three. The gelding is unbeaten in two starts, including a determined victory in the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Bunbury.
June has been an outstanding month for the stable, producing ten winners, highlighted by a Saturday treble at Pinjarra. Grantham now sits in sixth place on the city trainers’ premiership with 32 metro wins—far ahead of last season’s total of 13.
Despite the accolades, Grantham was quick to deflect praise.
“All the horses are going well,” Grantham said on Tabradio. “The team behind me are always up first, out there doing all the hard work and I’m taking all the credit for it. It’s a big team effort and it’s going well.”
Opportunistic’s form suggests he can measure up at this level and potentially step into higher grade races during the Ascot carnival later in the year.
“He’s done nothing wrong, he’s a pretty cool customer at home,” Grantham said. “He’ll have his final gallop on Wednesday and has done everything right.
“Going forward we are going to be at set weight and penalties now, so we meet everyone equal. It will be a lot tougher for him, but it will give us some confidence to see what he can do.
“If he does go well, you know that we’re putting him away for a reason and come back for the summer.”
Grantham previously claimed the Belmont Guineas with Luvnwar in 2023 and Devoted in 2022. He’s also upbeat about his Northam runner Midnight Star, who lines up on Wednesday.
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