Melbourne Cup Week is the biggest week in Australian racing and Grafton trainers were out doing what they do best looking to train winners.
At Coffs Harbour on Saturday it was Rip Sparkler prepared by Dan Want and ridden to perfection by Kirk Matheson which raced in vain before racing to the lead at the top of the straight to simply outstay his rivals in the BM 50 1600m.
It was the second win for the former Victorian since joining the Want yard in 2019.
Fast forward to Ballina and again Grafton had to wait until the final event of the day to find the winners circle.
This time it was Fleur Blanch and Nanakorobi Yaoki which was on song to score a strong win in the BM 58 1250m. Ridden by Anthony Allen the gelding settled in a great spot stalking the leaders before gaining a run on the fence to edge away near the line and win with some authority.
The win provided Blanch with her second win for the season and puts her two in advance of husband Scott who has had two starters for two seconds since returning to training.
Perhaps the name Nanakorobi Yaoki seems appropriate in the Henley/ Blanch household because the Japanese proverb loosely translated means never give up and given their recent run of luck that was something they needed to do.
Pic Nanakorobi Yaoki & Fleur Blanch all smiles after the win
Photo supplied by Trackside Photography 07 32165685
