Donna Grisedale hopes her stable’s purple patch can continue into the annual Grafton carnival, which kicks off on July 2.
The Coffs Harbour trainer has been in fine fettle, starting 12 horses for five wins and two minor placings since April, winning races across meetings at Grafton, Wauchope, Bowraville, and most recently, Port Macquarie.
“Placing them correctly has everything to do with the results,” Grisedale commented when asked what was behind her stable’s recent winning run.
“They are all the same horses; we haven’t acquired any new ones, but it’s a matter of returning to racing and picking the right races.”
At Port Macquarie on Sunday, Grisedale started two horses for two wins, with her husband Jon Grisedale riding Last Descend ($5.50) to victory in the 1100m Maiden Plate, while three-kilogram claiming apprentice Braith Nock helped Bow ($7) to an impressive win in the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
“They were fantastic results at Port Macquarie, but we’re back to reality today, and it could be a month or three months before another good day, so we’ll enjoy it while we can,” Grisedale said.
“I don’t get too carried, and yes, we were happy with both horses going into yesterday (Sunday), but I could have just as easily come home with two nice seconds or thirds with the margins they won by.”
Donna and Jon have combined for much success of late, while the latter has been riding winners regularly, notching victories for Matthew Dunn, Sally Taylor, and Neil Osborne.
“It’s definitely nice to win with Jon,” Grisedale said.
“He puts in all the work of a morning and deserves to get the results.”
The Coffs Harbour trainer also praised Nock, with the apprentice leaving a lasting impression.
“Braith is well above where he should be at this stage of his apprenticeship,” Grisedale said.
“He’s been held back by Brett Cavanough so he can be produced at the right time and be ready, and it’s a credit to Brett.
“His first ride in a race was a winner, and he will keep moving forward and go a long way.”
Since moving from Kembla Grange to Coffs Harbour in 2019, the Grisedale team have enjoyed a steady stream of winners, and despite recent flooding in the region, Donna said the drier-than-usual weather was making this winter particularly enjoyable.
“It’s been good,” Grisedale commented.
“We’ve had a few months without much rain, and that’s exciting.
“We do cop a lot for rain, which impacts what you can do, but getting a good four track was amazing for this time of year, and otherwise, all has been going well since the move up here.”
With good form spurring them on, Grisedale will head towards the Grafton July Carnival, and they might have one to watch in the $200,000 Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 13.
“We’ll be heading towards the Grafton carnival, and Byakko should be right for the Grafton Cup,” Grisedale confirmed.
“It’s not an easy race, but your elite horses will more than likely be heading towards the spring carnival, and the next batch of quality horses are in Queensland for the carnival, giving horses like Byakko the opportunity to contest these races at the minimum weight.”
The Kitten’s Joy gelding out of Lone Tigress is an American-bred gelding, and he commenced his career in the Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes and Chris Waller yards before being sent up north to Grisedale.
Only lightly raced, the rising six-year-old has started 12 times for three wins and three placings, with all three of his victories arriving at Grafton.
Before a freshen-up, he started four times between January and March, landing two wins at Grafton over the 1700m and 2230m journeys, and on ability, Grisedale believes he can make a very good stayer.
“Ability-wise, yes, he’s got it, but mentally, we are stilling working on that,” Grisedale said.
“We need to be able to travel him and be able to take him to those kinds of meetings; he’s still immature.”
Powder Man is another of Grisedale’s horses set to resume over the carnival, and Bow will likely feature after his win on Sunday.
“He (Powder Man) is a nice little horse in the making, and we’ll find a race for him at Grafton, and after his win at Port Macquarie, Bow is going to be handicapped extremely high, and he might have to head to one of those races at Grafton,” Grisedale said.
When asked why they were heading to Grafton for the carnival, Grisedale said continued success at the Northern Rivers racecourse was their biggest motivator.
“My horses race good at Grafton, especially Byakko, and all of his wins have been there, and it’s a great track to race on, and we’re looking forward to this year’s carnival,” Grisedale said.
For all results from Port Macquarie on Sunday, click here.
For more on the Grafton carnival, click here.
