He may have lost his main hopeful, but trainer Michael Grantham is still confident he has the ammunition to win tomorrow’s Listed Aquanita Stakes (2019m) at Bunbury.
Belmont Guineas winner Opportunistic was set to provide the testing material in tomorrow’s feature but was turned out to the paddock earlier this week.
It’s left Grantham with Arcadia Park as his representative in the event, which has attracted a field of seven.
Arcadia Park secured his shot at the $125,000 event with a last start win over 1600m on June 28.
Grantham said that win convinced him Arcadia Park, to be ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter again, would relish the longer distance.
“I was pretty happy with that last win,” Grantham told TABradio.
“He toughed it out and had done a little bit early.
“We’re fourth-up now.
“We’ve had that 1200 and two mile runs now.
“He’s probably going to be peaking for this.”
Belmont Guineas third and fourth placegetters Elite Missile and Redback Flyer headline the small field.
Our Paladin Al, who stormed home to finish fourth to Arcadia Park last start, is the other notable runner in the event and is the $3.10 TABtouch favourite.
Grantham said he expected Arcadia Park would likely find himself on speed again tomorrow.
“I think he’s got that natural gate speed to put himself in a spot,” he said.
“The only thing I’d hate is if we led and you have horses like Redback Flyer and Elite Missile that you’re going to cart into the race.”
Meanwhile, Grantham will be hoping Lillian can cause a minor boilover when she lines up in the Listed Belmont Oaks (2019m) later in the day.
The filly has had three starts for Grantham without running a place but is on the third line of betting in tomorrow’s $125,000 event.
Grantham said he hoped the step up in trip would suit his filly.
“She’s been a bit of a headache for me,” he said.
“She’s still green and learning.
“What she does at home suggests she needs a trip.”
Tomorrow’s Bunbury meeting gets underway at 12.48.
Tim Walker
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