Drawing the outside barrier hasn’t dinted the confidence of co-trainer Adrian Bott about the chances of Supply And Demand in today’s Listed $160,000 McKimms Real Estate Grafton Cup (2350m) at Grafton.

Supply And Demand, above, can overcome the outside barrier in the Grafton Cup. Photo by Steve Hart.

Supply And Demand is chasing his fourth win on the trot and will jump from the outside gate in the Grafton Cup field that has been reduced to thirteen runners following the scratching of Anton En Avant and Kilmarnock.

As well as having to contend with the wide gate, Supply And Demand is also up 3kg to 58.5kg on his last start win in the Listed $175,000 The Pump House Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 1.

Supply And Demand set the pace for an all the way win in the Caloundra Cup and Bott said that they were the preferred tactics again today although the four year old was also capable of sitting off the pace.

“He overcame a wide barrier last start and is versatile when it comes to tactics,” Bott said.

“Ideally I’d like to see him stick to the formula of getting to the front and bowling along, that suits him, but if he doesn’t he can take a sit or get back and run on.”

“Obviously the pull in the weights will bring the field closer together and make the task more difficult but he’s been constantly asking us to lift the bar and has responded on each occasion.

“He’s a great winning chance.”

Supply And Demand has been undefeated since winning Eremein Handicap over 1800m at Rosehill on June 3 and then went on to win the Kensei Handicap over 2000m at Rosehill again two weeks later.

Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, is pleased with the way Supply And Demand has worked his way up through the grades and the Sebring gelding is going into the Grafton Cup a fit race horse.

“He’s going from strength to strength and it’s been a pleasure watching his upward progression,” Bott said.

“He’s done well between runs. He is a very fit horse and we haven’t had to do too much with him to maintain his fitness.”

Josh Parr has been aboard Supply And Demand for six of his last nine starts, including his last start win in the Caloundra Cup and takes the ride again in the Grafton Cup.

“Josh Parr has the ride in the Cup and he knows the horse well,” Bott said.

Supply And Demand remains at the top of the Grafton Cup market order after easing slightly from $3 to $3.30 with Ladbrokes.com.au while the Chris Waller trained Montauk is fairly solid at $4.40 with Corey Brown in the saddle.