Group One placegetter Grand Duels, who has mixed it with Australia's best sprinters for nearly three years, is taking aim at the Group Three Standish Handicap at Flemington.The seven-year-old is noted for his straight course ability and trainer Byron Cozamanis said the Standish (1200m) on New Year's Day would be an ideal target for the gelding after he posted his first win on his home track of Caulfield in Saturday's The 65 Roses Victoria Cup (1100m).Brad Rawiller rode a patient race on Grand Du
Group One placegetter Grand Duels, who has mixed it with Australia's best sprinters for nearly three years, is taking aim at the Group Three Standish Handicap at Flemington.
The seven-year-old is noted for his straight course ability and trainer Byron Cozamanis said the Standish (1200m) on New Year's Day would be an ideal target for the gelding after he posted his first win on his home track of Caulfield in Saturday's The 65 Roses Victoria Cup (1100m).
Brad Rawiller rode a patient race on Grand Duels ($9.50) in fifth place most of the way and booted him home over the top of Big Spirit ($10) to score by 1-1/4 lengths with Ortayga ($14) three-quarters of a length away third.
Cozamanis said Grand Duels had soundness issues but he had been a wonderful ride for his connections with Saturday's $54,900 prize taking his career earnings to more than $600,000.
His best of eight wins in 35 starts was the 2008 Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington but he is best remembered for his third to Australian Racehorse of the Year Weekend Hussler and international sprinter Magnus in the 2008 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
He also finished third to another Australian Racehorse of the Year, Scenic Blast at weight-for-age in the 2009 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.
"I thought if he was anywhere near right he should win this race today," Cozamanis said.
"A bit of speed on helped him."
He resumed at Flemington on Oaks Day but he pulled up sore across his hindquarters after finishing 12th to Temple Of Boom in the Listed Swisse Vitamins Stakes (1100m) on unsuitable slow ground.
Rawiller has ridden Grand Duels eight times and partnered him to his Aurie's Star success.
He said he was best suited when given time to balance up in races away from the speed.
"He just works a bit hard when he leads and it sets it for something to run him down," Rawiller said.
Cozamanis said swimming was the foundation of Grand Duels training program.
"He's not 100 per cent sound so he does a lot of swimming and doesn't gallop much," Cozamanis said.
He said the Grand Duels had a "shocking action" which was why he was better suited to running in a straight line rather than having to negotiate a turn.