Emma Pritchard
Progressive stayer Our Bambino has raced into Grafton Cup calculations following his emphatic win in the McKimms Real Estate Grafton Cup Quality Prelude over 2230m on July 2.
Starting the $4.20 equal favourite in an open field, the six-year-old son of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente (IRE) was given a brilliant ride by local hoop Ben Looker, who settled the gelding in fourth position one off the rails inside the opening 400m, allowing Our Bambino to have a smooth run in transit.
Three deep as the field turned for home, Looker gave Our Bambino his head, with his mount responding with a powerful surge to deny early leader and second favourite Olympic Class by just over a length. Gulf Of Tormini finished third.
It was Our Bambino’s seventh win at start number 39.
Following the race, winning trainer Pat Murphy confirmed he would talk to Our Bambino’s owners to confirm his next assignment, but said the horse deserves a spot in the Grafton Cup next week.
“It was a 10/10 ride from Ben, and if we get another ride like that in the cup, he’s in with a great chance,” he said.
“I was extremely confident coming into the race today.
“The Grafton Cup is obviously another step up, but if the horse keeps the same attitude that he arrived with today, I’ll be very confident again next week.
“The extra little trip (120m) in the Grafton Cup could be the question mark, but we’ve got our ticket into the race.”
Based in Goulburn, Murphy identified the Grafton Cup as a race he has always wanted to win.
“I grew up coming to this carnival each year,” he said fondly.
“It’s very special, and it would be great to win one of the feature events.”
Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) Chairman Graeme Green congratulated the winning connections of Our Bambino following the race and took the opportunity to acknowledge racegoers for their attendance during the first day of the 2023 XXXX July Racing Carnival, adding there is plenty of excitement still to come.
The CRJC will host their next race meeting, the second day of the carnival, on July 9, with the South Grafton Quality Cup over 1610m the feature event on the program.
The winner will qualify for the $3 million The Big Dance, to be run at Royal Randwick on November 7.