Feature racing continues on the Mid-North Coast on Thursday and the time-honoured Grafton Cup headlines the eight-race program.
The rail will be left in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (7) range.
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Race 1 – Fidelity Capital BM66 Showcase Handicap (1000m)
Star Magnum will take plenty of improvement into his second campaign start at Gosford on Thursday, and he looks well placed to strike.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding was a consistent performer in a similar grade to this last time in, and returned a nice effort to finish third in BM68 company first-up at Eagle Farm.
With even luck, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Race 2 – Corbett Earthmoving PTY LTD Big Maiden Showcase Handicap (1175m)
Matt Dunn looks capable of an early double on Grafton Cup Day, and Aquarius can win Race 2.
Aquarius returned a couple of fair efforts in town during her debut prep, and raced home well to finish second, though well beaten by Controlocracy at Murwillumbah first-up this time.
She strips fitter for that effort and is drawn ideally under Matthew McGuren this week.
Race 3 – The Provedores Class 1 Showcase Handicap (1400m)
Lisztomania has returned to the races in typically strong and consistent form, and this looks to be a very winnable race.
The Dream Ahead gelding went to the paddock after breaking his maiden at Beaudesert back in January and he hasn’t missed placing in three starts back this time.
A repeat of his last-start effort for second, beaten a nose over 1400m at Randwick would be enough to win this.
Race 4 – Sky Racing World Mother’s Gift (1400m)
Rivabrook takes winning form into this Mother’s Gift, and this looks a lovely target for him.
The Hinchinbrook filly retuned some excellent efforts last time in, recording consecutive wins at Canberra and Cowra and ending her campaign fourth behind the likes of Loch Eagle and Straight Arron in town.
She will need some luck in running this week after drawing out wide, but she harbours plenty of improvement following an impressive first-up effort at Newcastle.
Race 5 – NBN News Springboard To Fame 2YO Showcase Plate (1200m)
There is a case to be made for several of the two-year-olds engaged in Race 5 on Grafton Cup Day, including Fashion Legend.
Fashion Legend has made just one appearance at the races so far, and while he did race greenly, he did enough to finish fourth at Randwick-Kensington.
Dropping back to country company suits and I am expecting big improvement for that experience.
Race 6 – Village Green Hotel Country Magic Class 6 Showcase Plate (1175m)
Tucson Valley is proven on a wet track and is chasing a fifth win in succession on Grafton Cup Day.
Tucson Valley returned to winning form with an utterly bullish performance at Wellington back in April and hasn’t taken a backwards step, recording a further three dominant victories in similar races to this one.
She’s rock-hard fit and is another who requires only even luck in running to be in the finish again.
Race 7 – Listed Grafton Cup (2350m)
Dr Drill is the one that I want to be with in this year’s Grafton Cup.
The Dansili gelding has been an outstanding horse for the Maher & Eustace yard since making his debut, picking off plenty of black type features along the way.
He is yet to strike in three starts back this time, but takes his place in the Grafton Cup field following consecutive second-placings in the Scone Cup and McKell Cup, and he is drawn to receive every chance this week.
Race 8 – Sir James Kirby Handicap (1000m)
Ice In Vancouver’s first-up win in the featured sprint at Gunnedah was nothing short of outstanding, and he can make it two in a row when he steps out in the last on Grafton Cup Day.
The Vancouver gelding finished down the order in The Kosciuszko first-up last time, but he continued to improve with each start and ended his season a dominant winner in the Armidale Newmarket.
These country sprints are his bread and butter, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
