Graffard hopes Erupt bursts from the gate in Canadian International

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, a well-travelled graduate of the inaugural Darley Flying Start programme, will saddle his first horse in Canada when Erupt bursts from the gate in Sunday's Grade 1 $1-million Pattison Canadian International.

Last July, the Irish-bred colt, a four-year-old son of Dubawi out of Mare Nostrum (Caerleon), provided Graffard with his first Group 1 win when he captured the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp besting such rivals as Ampere, Balios and Storm The Stars.

Sent to post as the fourth choice in a field of six, Erupt made his bid with a quarter mile to run and stayed on strong for a two-length score at 7-1.

"He came into the race unbeaten and confirmed the promise he had shown," said Graffard. "It was fantastic to see him quicken so well in the straight and this will remain an unforgettable day in my career as a racehorse trainer."

Although winless in four starts this season, Erupt has kept good company finishing second to Silverware in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud; fifth in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, at Ascot; and most recently third in the Group 2 Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville.

The 39-year-old conditioner believes that last effort is stronger than it may appear on paper.

"It was a muddling race in terms of pace. That day, he was also carrying more weight than the first two home (Savoir Vivre and Siljan’s Saga) who actually went on to run well in the Arc," said Graffard, noting Siljan’s Saga excellent fourth-place run behind Found in France’s most famous race.

Erupt was the first of the European contingent to arrive in Canada when he stepped off the plane at Pearson International on Saturday, and he’ll try to be the first horse past the wire on Sunday.  The four-year-old bay is giving every indication he's ready to blow up the tote board.

"I am very happy with the condition of Erupt. He travelled really well and he appears to be in top form," said Graffard.

That's a very good sign for Erupt, and his connections, as the colt readies to make a name for himself in North America.

"The international twelve furlong, grade one programme between now and the end of the year gives horses such as Erupt good opportunities. The Canadian International is ideally placed in the fall calendar," said Graffard.

PROTECTIONIST, TRAINER ANDREAS WOHLER DESERVE TOP MARKS FOR TOP-NOTCH TURNAROUND

Protectionist, winner of the prestigious Melbourne Cup in 2014, has returned to winning form as he readies for a shot at Pattison Canadian International glory.

After a stellar season two years ago, highlighted by a sharp four-length score in the Melbourne Cup, Protectionist, now six, endured a difficult campaign one year later, not hitting the top three in any of his eight starts.

In 2016, however, it is quite a different story altogether. Decorated trainer Andreas Wohler has his International starter on a winning roll heading into the 1 ½-mile fall turf classic, specifically, three consecutive trips to the winner’s circle.

“He gave us one of our biggest thrills in racing,” said Wohler, of the Melbourne Cup. “He went through a tough time, but he is in great condition now. I believe he is even better than the horse that won in Australia two years ago.”

Protectionist, owned by Australian Bloodstock, closed out his 2015 season with a 13th and 15th, respectively, in two Group 1 events in Australia.

After a smart allowance win in June of this year, the bay took the Group 2 Hansa Preis - a race he also won in 2014 – and took all the spoils in the 1 ½-mile Group 1 Grosser Preis Berlin on August 14.

“He’s in good shape again,” noted Wohler. “You can see he has his confidence back and his efforts show that. We gave him an easy race to start the year and he just kept on improving. It took some time to get him back to this point, but as I said, he’s in great shape and he’s even better than he was two years ago.”

The trio of tallies was by a combined nine lengths.

Now, the lifetime earner of $3.78 million will look for another efficient effort over the renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

Protectionist, boasting a record of 8-3-1 from 21 starts, will have the services of Eduardo Pedroza, aboard for the past three wins.

DANISH DYNAFORMER POSTS FINAL PCI PREP

Danish Dynaformer, the lone local contestant in the Canadian International, tuned up here Wednesday morning with five furlongs on the turf course training track. Former jockey Richard Dos Ramos, now an exercise rider for the Roger Attfield stable, was in the irons as Danish Dynaformer was clocked in 1:00.60.

“I could have taken him over to the main turf course but he’s been there enough,” said Attfield, who conditions Danish Dynaformer for owner/breeder Charles Fipke. “Everything looks real good with him right now.”

Danish Dynaformer has won two 1 ½ mile turf stakes here, last year’s restricted Breeders’ Stakes and the Grade 3 Singspiel this July. Since then, Danish Dynaformer has finished fifth in two Grade 1 turf stakes, the Arlington Million and Woodbine’s Northern Dancer.

Joel Rosario will ride Danish Dynaformer for the first time on Sunday. Rosario was here for last month’s Grade 2 Summer Stakes and guided Good Samaritan to victory in the ‘Win and You’re In’ race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

He also was aboard Canadian International runners-up Big Blue Kitten in 2014 and Hyper in 2013.

DUANE WARD TO OVERSEE PCI POST POSITION DRAW

Duane Ward, a member of the historic 1992 and 1993 World Series winning teams for the hometown Toronto Blue Jays, will be the guest drawmaster for the 2016 $1-million Pattison Canadian International.

The Pattison Canadian International post position draw will be held on Thursday, October 13 at Woodbine Racetrack and Ward will be on hand to assist with the festivities. The media event will get underway at noon and will be streamed live at CanadianInternational.com.

The 79th edition of the Pattison Canadian International will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2016 and will be broadcast live on TSN1 from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. ET.

Source: Woodbine Communications Office