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Son of Star Witness looking to bounce back in Doomben 10,000

Enigmatic Group 2 winner Graff (Star Witness) will have his first start for trainer Tony Gollan when he lines up in the Doomben 10,000 (Gr 1, 1200m) on Saturday. 

The son of Star Witness (Starcraft) began his career with Kris Lees, before being moved to Danny O'Brien for whom he landed the Caulfield Sprint (Gr 2, 1000m) last October. 

Gollan does not think he has a secret formula to turning around horses' fortunes, declaring that some just appreciate a change of scenery and routine.

"We just put them into our system, see how they react to it and change what we have to change, we do not overthink it too much," Gollan said.

"With Graff, we have noticed a few different things with him as he has come from terrific trainers in Kris Lees and Danny O'Brien.

"One thing talking to the guys from Australian Bloodstock about Graff, the reason for the change of trainers is that he actually enjoys change, with the routine being a bit different.

"We have not had to overthink Graff, he is a tricky bugger – I know that – he has a lot of quirks, he is an intelligent horse and hopefully I can get inside his head enough this week to really fire up for us fresh-up.

"We know the ability is there, we just want to see him produce it on Saturday."

The five-year-old has shown he is up to the elite mark, finishing fifth in the 2018 Everest (1200m) and being placed at Group 1 level, but is known to often throw in ordinary efforts as well.

"Graff is a bit of an enigma, on his day, he can compete in anything seeing as he finished fifth in an Everest," Gollan said.

"If we can get inside his head and get him to his best for Saturday, there is no reason he couldn't run really well, he has proven he is right up to Group 1 level when he is on song.

"There is no secret formula as to why horses change, sometimes the change in routine for horses just does the trick.

"These are horses that already gallop, it is just trying to get the best out of him."