Tips and previews for racing at Grafton on Thursday
John Schell
Choices based on a good piece
race 1
2. Lady Lucifer He has a serviceable record of five wins from 13 starts. He did his job well, scoring as he took the lead on Doomben last time out and went on to secure a narrow victory. He could take a prominent position and this seems tailor-made for him. 7. Hellcibell When last produced he raced well with two consecutive second places at Scone before failing at Tamworth. He can improve himself here. 4. Just in Time He is an ongoing city winner with a last place finish in the Midway grade at Rosehill and should improve with this run. 5. Oceanic Alps It’s competent at best and can come off without being surprising.
How to play: Lady Lucifer will win.
Race 2
2. Comic Book Culture He continued his magic with a win at the Acton circuit in Canberra and backed that up with a second at the same track, before making a well-targeted try for it. The rails have made their way and every chance should be taken. 4. Herald Angel He has featured in both runs since resuming from a spell and has a chance to feature again. 5. Almost Maybe Hit the line well and deserve respect when you make a final start on this track. 7. Satin and Cash He wasn’t far off when he finished fourth at this track last time.
How to play: Comic book culture for the win.
Race 3
8. Hello Daisy He had a good win at the Gold Coast two starts ago and followed that up with second at Doomben. He won his only start at this distance at this track and should play an important role. 5. Dance Gavin Dance Hit the line well for one last start to the casino win and you should be there again. 1. Debussy He wasn’t far away when the final sixth start came at Taree. 15. Manpower He followed up with a third-place finish at Toowoomba and has claims.
How to play: Hey Daisy to win.
Race 4
8. Royal Exile A promising two-year-old who had a good debut win at Taree before a second at Wyong. Inglis was in midfield in his only other start at the Millennium and Taree continued after the trial win. 2. Weather Phenomenon He won for the first time at Rockhampton and Deagon easily won his case and was able to keep up with his goal. 10. Triple Seven He made his debut and won his final trial at the Hawkesbury. 9. I’m Running Away He led the way in scoring at this track last time out and deserves respect.
How to play: Royal Exile for the win.
race 5
4. Stakeholder He made a start which resulted in a second at Nowra. He moved on to a new stable and had two trials in preparation for what should have been a brave display. 5. Meanwhile It made its debut on the Gold Coast and was relocated at Eagle Farm. 7. Hot Girl He rode and won a recent Sunshine Coast trial that led to this and is poised to progress well. 9.Jennibelle He has finished third in each of his last two starts at this track in March and should take every chance on the inside.
How to play: The stakeholder will win.
race 6
4. Night Warrior He finished first after a spell and finished the last campaign racing well, ending with a close second in a good graded race at Tamworth. He’s ready to sprint here looking pretty fresh. 16. Tartaglia He got a good win at Gosford last week and can get on with his job. 8. House of Cards last start is a Coffs Harbor winner and he’s not without a chance, 10. Show Them Howling Must hold the line well.
How to play: Night Warrior either way.
race 7
11. King Pedro a talented stay prospect who was unlucky when he took a close second at Rosehill two starts ago, only to atone for that defeat with a strong last-start victory at the same track. His weights are weak and he needs to be strong all the way to the line. 3. Etna Rosso I ran well at the last start, third in the group 3 class in Brisbane, and I have a claim. 5. So You He races well and should be taken into consideration. 2. to hit Etna beat Rosso at home last time, which was thought-provoking.
How to play: King Pedro will win.
race 8
6. Mr. Bianco He has a good track record with six wins and five placings going on from 20 starts and two barrier trials. He hasn’t placed in his last four starts before the break but hasn’t been beaten by much in any of them and looks pretty ready for the sprint. 3. Emperor He has a good winning strike rate and has struggled with tougher races in his last two starts since a close second at Eagle Farm. 7. Durova He had a couple of wins at Muswellbrook in March and remains fresh after his efforts at Scone in May. 9. Tectonic Plate I ran well in the last start seconds on this track.
How to play: Mr. Bianco will win.
Best Bets: Race 3 (8) Hey Daisy; Race 8 (6) Mr. Bianco.
Best Value: Race 6 (4) Night Warrior.
Provided by Racing NSW
