Gold Coast trainer Bruce Hill believes last year's Grafton Cup winner Warrior Within can make it a double in next Thursday's $150,000 race.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Hill has been focused on preparing Warrior Within to emulate the classy front runner Oppressor, the last horse to win successive Grafton Cups in 1994 and 1995.
The six-year-old gelding is among the 25 entries for the Maclean Bowling Club-sponsored feature over 2350m that provides vital Caulfield and Melbourne Cup qualifying for the winner.
"I couldn't be happier with the way he's going," Hill said.
"His runs in Brisbane have been very good. His only moderate efforts came when the tracks were too heavy.
"I reckon he's going as well if not better than last year.
"I've got him where I want him."
Warrior Within won the Murwillumbah Cup leading into his Grafton Cup win last year and his form this time around is just as good in stronger races.
He last two starts have seen him finish third to Shenzou Steeds in the Ipswich Cup (2150m) and third to Ginga Dude in the Tattersall's Cup (2200m).
Shenzou Steeds came out and won the Caloundra Cup impressively, a race Hill bypassed with Warrior Within due to the very heavy track.
"I didn't want him to rip his guts out on the heavy track," Hill said.
Warrior Within trialled impressively at the Gold Coast early this week to top off his preparation for his return to Grafton.
The Mike Moroney-trained Shenzou Steeds was not entered for the Grafton Cup, instead heading for the paddock for a short break before beginning his spring preparation.
