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When trainer Danny O’Brien took a look at the nominations for the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Friday and realised they had been extended because of the small entry, he decided to give Graff a shot at the time honoured sprint.
O'Brien is planning to take Graff to the Gold Coast on January 16 for the Magic Millions Sprint and thought Friday's race fitted that program.
"We were tossing up whether to give him a barrier trial but when this race came up with not a lot of entries, we thought why not run him on the course proper," O'Brien told RSN927.
"It's a better trial than on the inside grass there.
"The 1200 (metres), particularly down that straight course is usually a pretty tame 1200.
"They usually go down in a pretty kind bunch for the first half of the race then sprint and that sort of pattern suits him.
"He's in great shape, very forward, very fit. He only had a light spring with just the two starts and we think he'll run really well."
Graff has had two starts for O'Brien after joining the stable from Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.
He was successful first-up in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m) on October 17 before running sixth to Bivouac in the Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic over Friday's course and distance on November 7.
"We've only run him twice and I thought both his runs have been excellent," O'Brien said.
"His Darley run was excellent.
"Bivouac probably put in one of the performances of the year in that race. We were a bit unlucky and finished alongside Hey Doc which was a Group 1 winner at his previous start.
"He's certainly taking a big step down in class from his last couple."
Punters have followed the lead of O'Brien with the sprinter being the best backed in early betting.
After opening at $9 with TAB, Graff has shortened into $6 and sits on the third line of betting behind easing $3.40 favourite Defiant Dancer and Sirius Suspect, who has firmed into $3.80 from $4.40.
O'Brien will also have representation in the day's other feature, the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) with Reflect The Stars, currently the $5.50 third favourite behind Tralee Rose ($3.30) and Miyake ($4.80).
Reflect The Stars was a last start third to Miyake over 2530m at Flemington on December 12 with Tralee Rose splitting the pair.
O'Brien has no concerns with Reflect The Stars running the 2800m.
"She's had a good grounding for it and she's hit the line very strongly at the end at Ballarat and Flemington, so I don't see any reason why not," O'Brien said.
"She's racing in terrific form. She's just got a little bit too far back at her last couple of runs. I'm hoping she can hold a little closer spot in the small field.
"She's got the right form lines to be right in the finish."
