King Pedro favourite for Listed Grafton Cup

Progressive stayer King Pedro contests Thursday’s Listed A$200,000 Grafton Cup (2350m) for trainer Tom Charlton, who believes the New Zealand-bred four-year-old can now take the next step after a last-start victory in the Stayers Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.

The son of Eminent was plagued by bad luck and traffic trouble on his way to finishing seventh over 1600m at Randwick on April 25, second over 2100m at Gosford on May 9 and a desperately unlucky second by a nose in a 2000m race at Rosehill on June 17.

“He’s had an excellent campaign,” Charlton said. “He was a bit unfortunate in a couple of his runs prior to the Stayers Cup, but he got the job done in impressive style last time.

“He is versatile in terms of trip.

“He might stay further than a mile and a half, which is excellent, but I think the Grafton Cup will be a good trip for him.”

“There’s a chance of a bit of rain on Thursday, which I don’t think would harm him. He’s got that sort of lightly raced progressive profile, which should see him fit in well.”

Kerrin McEvoy is booked to ride the former Kiwi stayer, who has been installed a $2 favourite for Thursday’s feature.