Purton’s Brisbane reunion sparks Carnival dream

It was an easy conversation for Kelly Schweida to have when he called Zac Purton about riding Grafterburners in Saturday’s Doomben 10,000.

The pair go back to Purton’s apprentice days in Brisbane, where he and Michael Rodd fought for the premiership and Schweida was supplying winners for the future hall of famer.

“We talked for about 15 minutes, it was like he was back here in Brisbane,” Schweida said. “He knew why I was calling, and knew what was going to be in the race better than me.

“He knew my horse and was happy to ride him, and hopefully we can get some success like the old days.

“He rode plenty of winners for me and I think I might have given him his first Group 1 ride on Amalfi in Melbourne

“I remember Zac being a gifted rider and able to make things happen. He has built on that and not much as changed.”

Grafterburners could be the emerging talent of the Brisbane carnival after winning the Sunlight in January, things didn’t go completely to plan in Sydney, but he confirmed his ability by being only a length from Tempted in the Arrowfield Sprint off an interrupted preparation.

But it is the Galaxy, which still haunts Schweida after Grafterbruners was scratched at the barriers.

”That was his race with only 50.5kg. I was watching it happen with Peter Moody and he told me not to sook,” Schweida said. “He showed he was up with the better sprinters by getting so close to Tempted without that perfect preparation.

“I think it is worth having a go at these better horses at weight-for-age with the home ground advantage and now we have one of the best jockeys in the world.

“He had a trial the other day and just did what he had to, but if he was to show he is competitive, I would love to get him into a Stradbroke.

“I think he will run really well and I will be interested in what Zac makes of him.”