Top stayer Graphic progresses well

Quality stayer Graphic is expected to make a low-key entry at the Hawke’s Bay carnival before his return to chase loftier targets.

Last year’s Gr. 2 Wellington Cup winner is back in full work at the Matamata stable of Michael Moroney and Chad Ormsby after completing six weeks of pre-training at owner Christopher Grace’s property.

“He returned in superb order,” Ormsby said. “He’s stepped up to a bit of faster work and is feeling very well under the saddle, which are hopefully positive signs going forward.”

Graphic has been nominated for the last two legs of the Triple Crown series, the Gr. 1 Windsor Park Plate and the Gr. 1 Livamol Classic, and is likely to be in action on the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes day undercard on August 29.

A lightly-raced seven-year-old, Graphic has won five of his 15 starts and was spelled after he finished a game seventh from the outside gate in the Gr. 1 Auckland Cup.

Meanwhile, his stablemate Surpass is likely to end his racing career from his trainers’ Matamata base.

The stayer has won three times in Australia under Moroney’s care and returned home to claim the Gr. 3 Waikato Gold Cup. A Queensland campaign followed where his best performance was a seventh in the Gr. 2 Brisbane Cup.

“He put in a gallant effort in the Brisbane Cup without much luck and he looked a strong chance in the Tatt’s Cup, but Mike said he had come to the end of his campaign and it was the right decision to send him home for a well-earned break,” Ormsby said.

Surpass is still spelling and he will target the domestic cup races during his summer campaign.