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By Ray Hickson

Trainer John O’Shea is confident consistent galloper Cotehele can stamp himself as a live Big Dance contender if he ticks an important box and takes out Sunday’s $80,000 Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup (1600m).

Trainer John O'Shea (Pic: Steve Hart)

The Grafton feature on day two of the carnival has been in O’Shea’s sights since Cotehele jumped out of the ground to win at Rosehill back on May 20.

He was an acceptor for the Winter Stakes at Randwick but once he drew the inside barrier O’Shea jumped at the chance to earn eligibility for the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) run on November 7.

“The race in Sydney was about giving him an opportunity to draw a gate (at Grafton) and he’s got that,’’ he said.

“He gave every indication that he was going to be effective at a mile (when he won) at Rosehill the other day.

“If he could add that string to the bow it would enhance his chance of running well in a Big Dance.”

The four-year-old, $3.40 with TAB on Saturday and $15 in Big Dance markets, has only raced once at 1600m and that was in the $1 million Bondi Stakes back in the spring of 2021 and ran seventh, beaten 2-3/4 lengths, as a $5 chance.

He’s a more mature horse now and O’Shea said while he was run down in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago he felt the run had plenty of merit, considering Tom Sherry had to work some magic to get across from a wide gate, and he simply hit the front too soon.

O’Shea said barrier one will give the gelding his chance.

“If you go through his form he’s a horse that likes to be held up and we’ve been riding him a bit too close,’’ he said.

“Because of the gate Tom ended up in a beautiful spot but we needed to hold our powder a bit.

“He’ll just lob in the first four or five and go from there. The horse is in great order and he’s got a good gate and a jockey who knows him.”

While all the focus is on Grafton, O’Shea sends lightly raced three-year-old More Saintly to Hawkesbury on Sunday for his second run back in the Pioneer Services Handicap (1600m).

The grey ran on to finish ninth when the race was all over after settling last when resuming at the same track a month ago and O’Shea said there’s scope for improvement from that three length defeat.

Cotehele runs fifth at Randwick on June 24

“I was very happy with him, he’s ready to step out in trip and he’s drawn a good gate,’’ he said.

“He’s going well and Molly Bourke’s claim will help him a lot. He’s in the race really well.”

Meanwhile, top class sprinter Lost And Running is in pre training and is scheduled to be back in O’Shea’s stable later this month with an eye on gaining a slot in the $20 million TAB Everest.

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Grafton meeting