Graham and her promising sprinter Awesome Pluck were given the late call up by publican David Barnhill on Wednesday morning after Care To Think was withdrawn with an elevated temperature.  

The SPC, which boasts 486 members, will now put their faith in the lightly-raced four-year-old and a large portion of the group will travel to Randwick on Saturday for the big moment.

Graham, who said she feels for the SPC and connection of Care To Think, has assured Wagga punters that Awesome Pluck is a live chance in the race.

“By far, he’s not the worst horse in the race and I’m quietly confident he’ll run a big race for them,” Graham said.

“I’m naturally rapt that they decided to select my horse and I’ll do my utmost to have him there well on the day. I think he’ll run super for them.”

David Oehm is one of about 100 SPC members that will make the trip to Randwick on Saturday.

“It will be a great weekend,” Oehm said.

“It just adds another dimension to the Punters Club. You not only get a bit of dough back at the end of the year but you get a chance not just to win money but you get the thrill of the ride, of being down there and watching the horse go around. 

“It’s not very often you get to be involved in a race like this. I’ve had some very slow horses run around here. This is great.”

Awesome Pluck has drawn barrier one and will be ridden by former Southern District apprentice Tim Clark.

Under the deal negotiated, the SPC will claim 50 per cent of whatever Awesome Pluck earns in the $1.3 million feature.

Graham said the horse is ready to go despite the late call up.

“He trialled enormous and pulled up really well,” she said.

“He handles both going. He handles good but he also handles the soft so I’m not really worried about the surface. He is drawn one so he should get a nice run in transit, a pair back in a nice rhythm.”

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