Race-by-race preview and tips for Sunday’s meeting at Grafton
By John Schell
Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1 - 11:15AM KOSCIUSZKO TICKETS ON SALE 2YO SPRINGBOARD PRELUDE MAIDEN PLATE (1020m)
2. Ferinzo had three trials late last year before heading for a break. He has returned with a dominant trial victory at Wyong when scoring by a decent margin. He makes his race debut here and looks primed to run well.
Racing heads to Grafton on Sunday.Credit: Fairfax
Dangers: 1. Aquafire has only had two starts and followed a debut fourth at this track with a last start second here. He’s drawn well and should be hard to hold out. 11. Spoiler is on debut and has had two trials leading into this. She looks promising. 5. Takeover Lad was placed on debut at Tamworth and is not out of this.
How to play it: Ferinzo WIN.
Race 2 - 11:50AM MCKIMMS REAL ESTATE 2YO SPRINGBOARD PRELUDE MAIDEN PLATE (1020m)
8. Dravid debuted with a midfield effort at Newcastle and should have derived benefit from that hit-out. She’s in a good stable and should give plenty of cheek against these.
Dangers: 6. Their Finest Hour debuted with a second at Lismore and he only needs to run up to that to be rated a leading contender here. 4. Lord Vettori has had a couple of trials leading into this debut and is worth plenty of thought if he can run up to the trial efforts. 5. Rock The Machine has had one trial leading into this debut and warrants some place thought.
How to play it: Dravid WIN.
Race 3 - 12:25PM SOUTHSIDE PHARMACY COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1725m)
13. Sirius Flyer was just behind the placings at Scone on debut, and has finished second at Moree and Tamworth. She only needs to run up to those efforts to be hard to beat.
Dangers: 10. Wee Kahuna was placed at Murwillumbah last time out and she wasn’t beaten far at Scone before that. He has the talent to give this a shake. 3. Minister Garrett has been midfield on recent runs and could sneak into the placings here without surprising. 2. Labarna was placed at Murwillumbah when last produced and is not out of this.
How to play it: Sirius Flyer WIN.
Race 4 - 1:05PM HODDER CLEANING SERVICES GRAFTON GUINEAS PRELUDE 3YO BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1425m)
5. Military Award was down the track when last produced at Lismore but had excuses in that event after pulling up with cardiac arrhythmia. His form before that included a couple of placings at Ipswich and Doomben, as well as a sixth at this track.
Dangers: 3. Solar Power had a handy record with two wins and three placings from eight starts. He won at Coffs Harbour two starts ago and then was second at Kempsey last time out. 4. Lady Shotgun has shown plenty of talent in her career and comes into this on the back of a last start second at the Gold Coast. 9. Wahine Galaxy is a last start Doomben winner and is worth plenty of thought against these.
How to play it: Military Award EACH WAY.
Race 5 - 1:45PM GRAFTON GAS & PLUMBING COUNTRY BOOSTED BELFLYER PRELUDE CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1120 METRES)
5. Sir Boo has a solid record with three wins and as many placings from 10 starts. He returns from a break here and has a good fresh record. He’s drawn wide but will likely sit off the pace.
Dangers: 3. Powder Man is a winner of his latest two starts at Coffs Harbour and Tuncurry and resumes from a spell here. He’s drawn the fence here which should ensure he gets the run of the race. 7. More Than A Star is a two-time winner from nine starts and has a further two placings to her name. She hit the line well when resuming with a second placing and must be respected here. 12. Boambee Beach won at Toowoomba five starts ago and has been placed in two runs since then. She is worth including among the main chances.
How to play it: Sir Boo EACH WAY.
Race 6 - 2:25PM HERB BLANCHARD HAULAGE GRAFTON CUP QUALITY PRELUDE (2235m)
11. Mindspace won well at Coffs Harbour two starts ago, then ran well again when fourth at Murwillumbah. He’s racing well enough to give this a shake having won two of his previous three.
Dangers: 12. Coup De Tonnerre has been racing well in city grade in Brisbane including a last start fourth at Doomben. He looks to have the talent to give this a shake. 9. Gulf Of Tomini is talented on his day and if he can improve on his recent runs he can make an impact in this. 7. Six Foot Song has won two of his last three starts at Newcastle and Tamworth and only needs to repeat those efforts in order to be a leading contender here.
How to play it: Mindspace EACH WAY.
Race 7 - 3:05PM MACLEAN HOTEL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1195m)
9. Monte Cruise debuted at Hawkesbury last September and was down the track in that and then spelled. She resumed and started favourite to score a strong win at Coffs Harbour and looks set to go on with the job in this.
Dangers: 8. Strong Martini resumed from a spell with a win at the Gold Coast, then followed that up with a third there last time out. She is racing well enough to perform well in this company. 7. Crimson Sky has a win and a placing from five starts and looks to be one of the leading contenders here on that form, while 5. Tsunoda was a winner at Coffs Harbour two starts ago and wasn’t beaten far at Kempsey when last produced.
How to play it: Monte Cruise EACH WAY.
Race 8 - 3:45PM CLOCKTOWER HOTEL JOHN CARLTON CUP QUALITY (1195m)
9. Corfe Castle is a talented sprinter with a good record. He’s first-up from a spell here having won at the Sunshine Coast and then finishing second at Doomben before the break. He ran third in a trial to be readied for this.
Dangers: 1. Fender is the class runner of the race and he has performed well in much better class than he is facing here. He’s won a recent trial having tackled the Luskin Star at Scone and a Randwick event last time out. 8. Ljungberg hit the line well to win at Kempsey last time out and is classy on his day. 16. Moskeeta won well at this track last time out and if she can run up to that she should be hard to hold out again.
How to play it: Corfe Castle WIN.
Race 9 - 4:25PM WHO’S CHARLIE HERE ON SOUTH CUP SUNDAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1195m)
3. Cardsharp is first-up from a spell but has a handy record with a win and five placings from 10 starts. He performed well in a trial leading into this and has been placed in both first-up runs.
Dangers: 1. Immortality is resuming from a spell and having his first start for a new a stable. He’s performed well in better class races than this and warrants plenty of respect. 7. Scarlett Thunder comes into this on the back of a last start Lismore victory and another bold showing is on the cards despite the wide alley. 9. Head Case was a winner here in March and comes into this on the back of a trial when third at Murwillumbah on the back of a last on the Kensington track
How to play it: Cardsharp EACH WAY.
Best Bets
Race 1: No.2 Ferinzo; Race 5: No.5 Sir Boo
Best Value
Race 9: No.3 Cardsharp
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au