Photo / Thinkstock
Tony White
Sydney trainer Joe Pride remains hopeful months of planning can be rewarded with Destiny's Kiss in the 100th Grafton Cup today.
Pride's optimism was dented when the in-form 4-year-old drew in barrier 17 but he remains confident Destiny's Kiss is in top order.
"We copped the visitor's draw but it's something we've just got to deal with," Pride said.
"The horse is good. He's made good progress to this point. He's run over the trip and we know that will suit him. He's ticked that box."
High-profile owner Nick Moraitis, who bred and races Destiny's Kiss, also has Fiumicino in a race with plenty of depth.
"To have two horses in the Grafton Cup is fantastic," Moraitis said.
"Someone up there likes me. I've been lucky enough in racing to win a Cox Plate, Caulfield and Melbourne Cup and other feature races. It would be marvellous to win the Grafton Cup, especially the 100th Cup."
Pride says because of the wide gate, Destiny's Kiss may have to race differently to his normal pattern.
"He'll probably have to get a little further back than I would have liked."
Destiny's Kiss is chasing a hat-trick of wins after claiming the Winter Cup last start and a 2000m event at Rosehill on June 15.
"We've planned this for some time with both races [Winter Cup-Grafton Cup] on the agenda," Pride said. "It's a natural sequence once we knew he was going to stay.
"Destiny's Kiss is at his peak now. Next preparation I think he'll get better but I couldn't be happier where he's at now."
Destiny's Kiss has drifted in latest Cup betting but remains favourite at $4, ahead of the New Zealander Zennista ($4.80).AAP
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