The Grafton Racing Carnival continues this Thursday with the running of the time honoured Grafton Cup.
Eight races are scheduled to be run and won on what should be a Good racing surface. The rail is in the true position.
We’ve provided our top selections for each race on the card below.
Race 1 – 12:20pm AEST – 2YO SHOWCASE PLATE (1200 METRES)
Volcanic Love (5) looks the horse to beat in the opening event on Cup day.
The Scott Henley-trained Kermadec gelding had won two trials prior to his debut over 1015m here. He sat handy in the run before bursting clear in the straight to win by 2.43 lengths.
The rise to 1200m looks ideal second-up. Anthony Allen can go forward and control the speed which should make his mount very hard to beat.
Suggested Bet: 2 Units – Volcanic Love (5)
Race 2 – 12:55pm AEST – MOTHER’S GIFT (1400 METRES)
Highly Ambitious (2) had been racing well without success in Sydney but a move north to Kris Lees’ Gold Coast stable proved a winning play last start.
The daughter of Written Tycoon settled well back from the outside barrier in the field of thirteen at Doomben over 1350m. She let down powerfully, weaving through the field to win narrowly. There was a good gap back to third.
She comes up with the inside gate here so I’d expect Andrew Mallyon to settle closer in the run.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit – Highly Ambitious (2)
Race 3 – 1:35pm AEST – THE BIG MAIDEN SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1175 METRES)
Victory Gold (1) was a touch unlucky not to win on debut at Coffs Harbour over 1000m.
The Terry Commerford-trained three-year-old was held up for a run on the fence but once clear, he hit the line hard to go down by just a head.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise in strip suits. He looks a good each way play from the nice draw.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit Each Way – Victory Gold (1)
Race 4 – 2:10pm AEST – COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 1 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Blue Canasta (4) is racing in a rich vein of form this preparation.
After being narrowly defeated in his first two starts back this preparation, the Stirling Osland-trained three-year-old gelding won after a tough run at Armidale. Last start he found the line strongly but just missed over 1215m here.
The rise back up to 1400m suits now that he’s rock hard fit. Aaron Bullock should be able to race in a prominent position.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit – Blue Canasta (4)
Race 5 – 2:50pm AEST – COUNTRY BOOSTED BELFLYER CLASS 6 SHOWCASE PLATE (1175 METRES)
Coco Rox (12) is extremely well weighted with just 55kg under the set weight conditions of the race.
The Matt Dunn-trained four-year-old was disappointing first-up when dropping out to finish 3.21 lengths behind Reliable Ruby. She’s a quality mare and can bounce back second-up.
She won her only previous start at the track. Ben Thompson replacing the apprentice is a positive move.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit – Coco Rox (12)
Race 6 – 3:25pm AEST – BENCHMARK 66 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
Debussy (3) was in need of the run when resuming with a second placing in the Wauchope Cup at Port Macquarie over 1000m.
Trainer Tony Ball then sent his four-year-old gelding to Rosehill where he had a tough run and finished down the track in a Highway Handicap behind Mogo Magic.
He’ll appreciate returning to this level of opposition with increased fitness third-up. Aaron Bullock should give him a gun ride from the inside gate.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit – Debussy (3)
Race 7 – 4:05pm AEST – LISTED GRAFTON CUP (2350 METRES)
Zoumon (2) has come back this preparation in sensational form for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Following a narrow loss first-up, he fought strongly to win the Listed McKell Cup over 2000m. Last start he went to the front in the Listed Caloundra Cup over this trip and was never headed, winning by a length.
Rachel King replaces Tim Clark but the tactics will be the same. King will roll forward from barrier 2 and give them something to catch.
Suggested Bet: 2 Units – Zoumon (2)
Race 8 – 4:40pm AEST – SIR JAMES KIRBY HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
Omni Man (3) once again has been dealt a visitor’s draw but that doesn’t seem to worry him.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained four-year-old gelding has started from barriers 10, 14 and 10 this preparation. Despite that he’s won two of those three starts.
Last start he raced on speed over 1000m on the Kensington track before proving too strong for the talented Passeggiata, winning by 1.66 lengths.
He’s undefeated in four starts over the trip and has the speed to cross from the outside.
Suggested Bet: 2 Units – Omni Man (3)
