Grafton, Listed Iron Jack Grafton Cup, $200,000, 2350m

Race summary

Sixties Groove (Ire) (Sixties Icon {GB}) surged home over his rivals to claim the $200,000 Listed Grafton Cup.

The Australian Bloodstock-owned import had to set a weight record held since 1934 if he was going to win the 2350 metre event, with 61kg.

Experienced jockey Jason Collett sliced his way into the clear and presented the 7-year-old down the outside at the right time, and Sixties Groove did the rest, beating the Chris Waller-trained pair The Lord Mayor (NZ) (Rock 'N' Pop) and Carzoff (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}).

It was Sixties Groove's first win since his G2 Brisbane Cup success in June last year, having come through a tendon injury which saw him have just four runs in that time.

Purchased as a tried horse out of stables of Jeremy Noseda, Sixties Groove has won five of his 17 starts in Australia.

Pedigree notes

Sixties Groove is the first foal from unraced Gift Dancer (GB) (Imperial Dancer {GB}), who is a half-sister to Irish 1000 Guineas winner Samitar (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).

Samitar is the dam of Group 3 winner Danon Chaser (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) with Group 3 winner Nijoom Dubai (GB) (Noverre {USA}) also among Gift Dancer’s siblings.

Their second dam is also the granddam of Group 2 winner Shaweel (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Listed winner Orvar (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) with European champion Golden Opinion (USA) (Slew O’ Gold {USA}) under their third dam. This is also the family of Group 1-winning Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the daughter of Listed placed Aleagueoftheirown (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).

Gift Dancer’s other winner from three to race is the 4-year-old Smiling Eliza (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), a five time winner.