Image: Darren Winningham
Big reward for Queensland trainer Kelly Schweida with wins in two rich Magic Millions races
An unexpected approach saw a change in direction and a significant change of fortune for trainer Kelly Schweida and the connections of tree stallion Grafterburners with victory in the second edition of the Magic Millions Sunlight 3yo Plate.
For Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s slot in the $3 million 1100m sprint, bloodstock specialist Bruce Slade sought Grafterburners ($2.25F) with a deal to secure the rider of choice.
“All credit to Bruce,” Schweida said.
“We would go to another option before we got the slot. We would go to the Vo Rogue, but this will do.”
Grafterburners overcame difficulties on the straight and were able to run along the rail with James McDonald on board, just returned from a spell at Hong Hong.
McDonald described the winner of six of his 12 starts so far as ‘outstanding’ and the son of sprinter Graff has lucrative options ahead.
“He is eligible for the million-dollar race that El Morzillo won on the Flemington straight, but he is also eligible for a half-million dollar Jewel here for QTIS horses,” Schweida said.
“That is difficult to reverse.”
Grafterburners defeated the Brad Widdup-trained Nashville Jack ($71) by one and a half lengths and Sylph ($10) by half a length in third.
Earlier on the card, Miss Joelene ($2.70F), also trained by Schweida, scored a unique double when she won the $500,000 Magic Millions The Wave (1800m).
Miss Joelene won The Wave in 2025 when the race was held on the Sunshine Coast due to the track poisoning incident before the meeting.
Schweida said Miss Joelene would back up in the Magic Millions Subzero (2200m) next Saturday.
“She has a good backup record. She ran third in that race last year after The Wave and she won after Ipswich Cup Day, so she will be back up in the 2200,” Schweida said.
His confidence in jockey Ceejay Graham who remained aboard the five-year-old mare was not lost on the young rider.
“I’m so grateful to Kelly for sticking with me. It would have been very tempting to put a big name on it. It really means a lot to me to get an opportunity like this and she’s just a star.”
The newly launched Magic Millions Gold Raceday attracted approximately 9,000 people to the twilight event where more than $7 million in prize money was on offer.
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