Race-by-race tips and preview for Grafton on Sunday
RACE 1 - 12.50PM: WESTLAWN BUSINESS SERVICES 2YO MAIDEN PLATE (1015m)
7. Murungal ran third behind Peltzer and Anders two back at Kembla before running eighth in town behind Tommy Gold, a race that has provided four subsequent winners including Blossom Star, a filly who dropped back to country grade and bolted in.
Things are heating up in the Northern Rivers with the running of the Grafton Cup Prelude on Sunday.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 8. Rise’n’shine has trialled exceptionally well and looks the biggest threat, though drawn awkwardly. 10. I Promise You looked to get a little lost in the run on debut but stuck to her task and gets the blinkers on.
How to play it: Murungal to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 2 - 1.25PM: WESTLAWN BUSINESS LOANS MAIDEN PLATE (1620m)
8. Miss Clambake hit the line hard at Wagga two runs back before running third at Newcastle behind Clever Man. Albeit beaten a long way, the second horse has since run well again at the provincials. Well placed to break through.
Dangers: The form guide reads sixth for 7. Gerwig last start but she should have won at this same track three weeks ago. Has had plenty of chances but keeps improving. 5. Sethlans for the multiples.
How to play it: Miss Clambake to win and quinella 8-7.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 3 - 2.00PM: WESTLAWN WEALTH MANAGEMENT GRAFTON GUINEAS PRELUDE 3YO BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1420m)
Ex-Godolphin galloper 1. Camp Rifle steps out for Tony Newing for the first time and looks well placed for connections to get an immediate return on the back of an encouraging trial win at Gosford. The drier the better as he has struggled on wet tracks recently.
Dangers: 4. Hyperion Star has won two on the bounce and relished the 1400m second-up when rising from 1100m. This is harder again but hard to knock on recent form. 5. Toots Is Tops could improve sharply at odds.
How to play it: Camp Rifle to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 4 - 2.35PM: WESTLAWN LIFE INSURANCE CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1115m)
The most open race on the card, as the market suggests. 1. Wander has 61kg and a wide draw but he is the class runner here. He split Black Magnum and Lashes at Warwick Farm first-up last preparation and has trialled well this time back.
Dangers: Can make a case for 7. Maid Marilyn at double-figure odds. Has been racing well without winning recently. 6. Akecheta was an all-the-way winner at Armidale last start beating 4. In Fiore.
How to play it: Wander to win.
Odds and Evens: Evens.
RACE 5 - 3.10PM: WESTLAWN INSURANCE BROKERS CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1215m)
2. Divine Approach will be out the back but there’s good speed in this and, with any luck, she’ll be rocketing to the line. Didn’t look comfortable in heavy ground at Gosford last start but still wasn’t beaten far in a much stronger race.
Dangers: 6. Money Heist steps out for Jenny Graham for the first time (ex-Gai Waterhouse) and liked what we saw from her in a Taree trial. Was competitive at provincial level in her first preparation and will make her own luck on speed.
How to play it: Divine Approach to win.
Odds and Evens: Evens.
RACE 6 - 3.45PM: JOHN CARLTON CUP (1215m)
11. Defeat ran well in a very fast race at Warwick Farm last start on a heavy track. Prior to that he was again in another very slick race at Bathurst. Suspect he is going better than the form suggests and he fits in well here for Tracey Bartley.
Dangers: Expect Snitz to be scratched. Stablemate 2. Care To Think was only a pass mark first-up but that was considerably harder. 9. Nothingforthepress and 15. Vacate appeal for exotics.
How to play it: Defeat to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 7 - 4.20PM: WESTLAWN FINANCE GRAFTON CUP PRELUDE (2230m)
2. Penshurst was expected to win at this track last start when a short-priced favourite but he did it well and lines up in another suitable race. Matthew Dunn has the six-year-old ticking over nicely as he tracks towards the Grafton Cup.
Dangers: There is a sense of timing about 3. Allzin fourth-up after making late ground over the mile last start. 10. Nemingah is still lightly raced and has more upside than most here.
How to play it: Penshurst to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.
Grafton best bets
Race 1: Murungal (7)
Race 3: Camp Rifle (1)
Best value
Race 6: Defeat (11)
Supplied by Racing NSW