A late change of plans proved decisive for Kelly Schweida and the team behind Grafterburners, who delivered a powerful win in the second edition of the Magic Millions Sunlight 3yo Plate.
With the $3 million slot owned by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, bloodstock expert Bruce Slade identified Grafterburners ($2.25F) as the ideal runner and struck a deal to secure the colt.
“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.”
Ridden by James McDonald following his return from Hong Kong, Grafterburners overcame congestion in the straight to burst through along the rail.
McDonald later described the Graff colt as ‘outstanding’, with the three-year-old now having won six of his 12 career starts.
“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 scored by 1½ lengths over Nashville Jack ($71), trained by Brad Widdup, with Sylph ($10) finishing half a length away in third.
Schweida also enjoyed success earlier in the program when Miss Joelene ($2.70F) claimed the $500,000 Magic Millions The Wave (1800m).
The mare had won the race in 2025 when it was transferred to the Sunshine Coast following the track poisoning incident.
Schweida confirmed Miss Joelene would back up into next Saturday’s Magic Millions Subzero (2200m).
“She’s got a good back-up record. She ran third in that race last year after The Wave and she won after Ipswich Cup Day so she’ll back up in the 2200,” Schweida said.
Interest was strong across major online bookmakers for the Magic Millions Sunlight, reflecting the depth of the three-year-old sprint.
Jockey Ceejay Graham said Schweida’s loyalty in keeping her aboard Miss Joelene was greatly appreciated.
“I’m so thankful to Kelly for sticking with me. It would have been very tempting to put a big name on. It really means a lot to me to get an opportunity like this and she’s just a star.”
Approximately 9,000 people attended the newly titled Magic Millions Gold Raceday twilight meeting, which featured more than $7 million in total prize money.
The post Grafterburners blasts through in Magic Millions Sunlight first appeared on Just Horse Racing.