Matthew Dunn has again weaved his magic, with Cepheus claiming Sunday’s $80,000 South Grafton Cup (1610m) and a place in the $3 million Big Dance final.
Ridden by Aaron Bullock, the Murwillumbah galloper settled a little better than midfield, and turning for home, Bullock peeled three wide as Cepheus ($3.80) ground to the lead with 62kg on his back before holding on firmly to win by a neck from the John O’Shea-trained Cotehele (Tom Sherry, $3) while two-and-a-half lengths back and flashing home for third was the John Ramsey-trained Barellan Bandit (Jake Bayliss, $31).
Cepheus entered the race off an excellent second to Irish Songs in the 1400m Listed Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on July 1, and Dunn had questioned whether today’s race was the right option.
“It was good to see, but it took a bit of convincing to run him, actually; it’s not normally my go with my better horses to do the eight-day turnaround,” Dunn said.
“Still, he carried 62kg and had a lovely run throughout the race, and Aaron Bullock rode him really well.”
It was win number five for Cepheus, and Dunn praised a patient ownership group for sticking by their gelding after his career almost abruptly ended in 2022.
“When you sort of go back 18 months ago, this horse had a bowed tendon and was nearly ready to retire,” Dunn said.
“A great ownership group, and Matthew Williamson down there in Victoria, got him through that, and the boys from OTI and my owner’s group have stuck with him, and he’s doing a wonderful job.”
It’s interesting to note that the rising seven-year-old was bred and raced in England, winning on debut at Newmarket in 2019 while bringing up victories at Goodwood and Deauville in 2020 before OTI Racing and Bloodstock purchased the son of Sea The Stars.
Connections initially held Melbourne Spring Carnival aspirations for Cepheus, but injury curtailed their plans.
Still, he did bounce back to his best, winning the Group 2 Ajax Stakes at Rosehill Gardens in March.
Dunn explained that his galloper was now better suited to the shorter trips, with the $3 million Big Dance final (1600m) at Royal Randwick on the first Tuesday in November as the new goal in mind.
“He’s a lovely type, and Terry Henderson, Gus (Boyd), and the team there at OTI picked him out from Europe, and time and time again, they do it and bring these horses over,” Dunn said.
“We brought him over to win a Melbourne Cup, but I don’t think he is going to run that trip anymore, but we’ve turned him into a nice sprinter.
“Look, he’s done a great job, and our path is to the Big Dance now, and he sprints well, and he might even look at the Kosciuszko in the lead-up, perhaps.”
While connections will celebrate today’s win, for Dunn, the Grafton carnival has just commenced, with his team in for a big week.
Amongst a swag of runners entered to race on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, Never No More is nominated in the $200,000 Ramornie Handicap.
Additionally, Snazz ‘N’ Charm will contest the $75,000 Sir James Kirby (1000m) or $50,000 Belflyer Pate (1175m), with Harlequin Field and Coco Rox also nominated in the Belflyer.
For all results from Sunday’s meeting, click here.
