David Pfieffer’s former Magic Millions winner Graceful Anna is preparing for her turf return, the classy Canny Lad mare set to target Group 1 glory in the 2012 Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide during the autumn.
2010 Magic Millions Trophy winner Graceful Anna will target the 2012 Robert Sangster Stakes this autumn
Graceful Anna skyrocketed young Warwick Farm trainer Pfieffer into the big time two years ago when she secured the coveted Magic Millions Wyong Stakes – Gold Coast 3YO Trophy double.
Sandwiched in between her two Magic Millions wins, the then three-year-old also held on in a thrilling finish with subsequent Group 1 hero Shoot Out to win the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) on Boxing Day in Brisbane.
While Pfieffer’s immediate attention is on the Gold Coast Magic Millions Race Day again this Saturday as he prepares to saddle up the $3.80 Luxbet favourite Safusa and winner of this year’s Wyong 3YO MM Stakes in the $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1200m), he is also looking forward to the return of Graceful Anna.
“Graceful Anna helped put me in the spotlight,” Pfieffer recalled fondly this week.
Graceful Anna hasn’t been seen in the winner’s stall since her win in the Listed Silk Stocking (1200m) at the gold Coast in May 2010 and during her latest campaign she failed to produce anything of note.
She was last seen finishing a disappointing last when beaten 14 lengths by winner Little Surfer Girl in the Listed Angst Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on October 8 last year, and Pfieffer is hopeful she can bounce back this season.
Pfieffer has the $350,000 Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on April 28 as the main autumn goal for the $1 million earner, which would be her third attempt in an elite level.
Graceful Anna first stepped up to elite company at Eagle Farm in the 2010 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), but she could only manage to finish four and a half lengths away 13th to Black Piranha.
She was beaten by a huge margin at her next major assignment when beating home just one other runner in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m), won by Aloha, on a Slow Rosehill track last March.
“Graceful Anna had a preparation last time that was out of character for her,” Pfieffer said.
“She did have a couple of little issues but she has got over them now.”
Pfieffer said that he was hopeful of a form return from his stable darling, but that if she couldn’t produce the goods on the track, a career as a broodmare was waiting.
“We will keep a close eye on her and if things don’t go the right way we will most likely retire her to stud,” he said.
“But all going well we are looking at the Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide.”
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