Matias’ 2025 Grand Prix Stakes win sparks Sydney carnival hopes

Matias surged into the Sydney autumn conversation after a dominant win in the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm, prompting trainer Gerald Ryan to consider a campaign on home soil next year.

After racing handier at Hawkesbury when breaking his maiden, the $7 chance was allowed to drift back over 1800m before sweeping home down the outside in emphatic fashion.

Ryan said Matias had been unlucky in earlier runs and showed his true ability once conditions fell into place.

“He didn’t like the real heavy track at Rosehill. He was unlucky at Canterbury. He won well the other day, but he was ridden too close to the lead,” Ryan told Sky Racing.

“I don’t know about stretching him further at this stage of his career. I wouldn’t mind taking him home and giving him a break, not a long break, and seeing if he can measure up in the autumn.”

The gelding’s pedigree—Snitzel out of Oaks placegetter Never Listen—suggests further improvement to come as distances rise.

Winning rider Michael Rodd said Matias exceeded expectations.

“That was really impressive,” Rodd said.

“Watching his replays down south, he’s by Snitzel, he’s out of an Oaks-placing mare. You’re not sure what to expect.

“Gerald said ride him back a bit today. We had our hand forced anyway. He was a little bit slow out and horses came either side of us and popped us out the back. It was a blessing. They went along really quick, and he was loving the gallop.”

The day also saw another strong performance from Grafterburners, completing a hat-trick in the Gold Edition Plate before connections locked in a Sunlight campaign.

Grafterburners ($1.90 fav) held off Sylph ($10) and Icarian Dream ($11).

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