By Julieanne Horsman
Supply And Demand has been up since January but is showing no signs of slowing down.
The four-year-old gelding, trained by Gai Waterhouse Adrian Bott, is chasing his fourth straight win in tomorrow’s Listed McKimms Real Estate Grafton Cup (2350m).
“He’s going from strength to strength and it’s been a pleasure watching his upward progression,” Bott said.
At his most recent start on 1st July, he led all the way to salute in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m). A fortnight earlier, he won the Kensei Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens and prior to that he easily claimed the Eremein Handicap (1800m) also at Rosehill.
“He’s done well between runs,” Bott said. “He is a very fit horse and we haven’t had to do too much with him to maintain his fitness.”
“Josh Parr has the ride in he Cup and he knows the horse well.” Rivals Montauk and War Baby have been snapping at Supply And Demand’s heels in previous races and he will meet them with 3kgs more on his back in the Grafton Cup.
Despite the weight increase and wide barrier draw (15) Supply And Demand remains the clear favourite.
Bott isn’t concerned either.
“He overcame a wide barrier last start and is versatile when it comes to tactics,” Bott said.
“Ideally I’d like to see him stick to the formula of getting to the front and bowling along, that suits him, but if he doesn’t he can take a sit or get back and run on.”
“Obviously the pull in the weights will bring the field closer together and make the task more difficult but he’s been constantly asking us to lift the bar and has responded on each occasion.
“He’s a great winning chance.”
The Waterhouse Bott stable will also saddle up promising juvenile, Runaway, in the NBN Springboard To Fame 2YO Plate over 1200m.
In his only start, he finished a respectable fourth in a 1100m 2YO Plate at Canterbury on 21st June.
“It was a nice debut performance in what’s proven to be a good form race,” Bott said.
“He has shown above average ability and will get further over time.”
While 1200m isn’t ideal for Runaway, he has still been well backed by punters.
“1200m is a bit short but the trip away will do him the world of good and I am confident he will develop into a nice, progressive horse.”
View the fields and form for all eight races of the Grafton Cup meeting here.