Trainer Matthew Dunn eyes Grafton Cup boilover with Holstein

It was a big decision to scratch Holstein from a suitable race on day one of the carnival but trainer Matthew Dunn is happy to give the gelding a shot at the Grafton Cup.

Trainer Matthew Dunn is chasing his first win in the Grafton Cup with Holstein. Picture: Grant Guy

Like any country based trainer, Matthew Dunn loves participating in the Country Cups and the Grafton Cup is certainly prominent on the list of races he would love to win.

The Murwillumbah-based Dunn saddles up one of the roughies in this year’s Grafton Cup in Holstein but feels the gelding is capable of running a bold race.

Dunn had the five-year-old in an ideal race on Day One of the Grafton carnival on Wednesday but elected to scratched and give him his chance in the Cup.

“It would probably make more sense to have run him on Wednesday where he probably would have won but I think the Cup this year has a pretty long tail to it and he is racing really well,” said Dunn.

The last at Canterbury goes the way of Holstein! @[e-mail]/9sHd8eGbkX

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“It isn’t the strongest Grafton Cup and I think one of the reasons for that is because the Caloundra Cup was pushed back a week so a lot of those horses are backing up and Grafton this year.

“It just looks a good opportunity to have a go at this race.”

The son of Snitzel had a tough run when trapped out three-wide without cover on a heavy track at Rosehill last start when eighth behind Amberite.

Prior to that, the gelding scored a gutsy win from Semper Fortis over 1900m at Canterbury.

“It was a good effort to win at Canterbury two starts ago and then he didn’t get the right run at Rosehill last time out,” he said.

“He is certainly capable of running a good race.

“Barrier 10 a good draw for him. He is no good when caught up in traffic so I prefer for him to draw out a bit. He can stay in the clear from there.”

Dunn also had Eaglemont in the Cup but said he would scratch the gelding and save him for another day.

In the other feature race of the day, the Class 6 Belflyer (1175m), Dunn saddles up Nishikori and recent stable addition Self Indulgent.

Nishikori is resuming from a spell while Self Indulgent pleased her new trainer with her closing fifth behind Richon at Doomben on July 19.

Son of Frankel, Touristic, is back in the winner's stall for the first time in 11 months ✅@[e-mail]/sqqR2Hh94r

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“I think Nishikori will need the run first-up and he will be better suited once he gets pout over a bit further into his preparation,” he said.

“Self Indulgent ran really well first-up for me the other day and I think she will be hard to beat.

“It was a really encouraging run. She was making ground in the straight and that race was probably stronger than what this one.”

While Holstein is a raced a $26 chance for the Grafton Cup with TAB Fixed Odds, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Touristic is the $5.50 second elect behind Victorian visitor Deny Knowledge at $2.80.

Touristic heads into the Cup in the best form of his career in Australia according to Peter Snowden after a smart win at Mornington and a closing second behind Golden Path at Rosehill, both over 2000m.

“This preparation is the best we have had him. He is going particularly well,” Snowden said.

“It’s his first crack at a mile and a half but he is racing like he will run it.

“He was very good late the other week at Rosehill. Regan (Bayliss) said he only hit top gear 100m out and was the last one to pull up past the post.

“With that in mind, I have tweaked the gear on him this week. He has the visor on him.

“I think he can hold a spot midfield from that good draw and that will help his chances.”

Originally published as Trainer Matthew Dunn eyes Grafton Cup boilover with Holstein