Tips and race-by-race guide for Grafton on Monday
John Schell
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
5. Foxy Artist has only had two starts for a third at this track on debut and a fourth at Goulburn. He’s had two trials leading into this return to racing and ran third in the latest of them at Beaudesert. 6. Ivantheinvincible is on debut after a number of trials and won the latest of them at Beaudesert. He is primed to run well. 12. Taga Smile is first-up from a spell and has finished second
in two of her four starts. 11. Commedia resumed for a new stable with a fifth at this track and can be thereabouts with the benefit of improvement.
How to play it: Foxy Artist to win.
Race 2
2. Referees was a solid winner at this track three starts ago and has since been close-up in two more runs at this track when finishing second and third. He charged home in the latest start here and can atone with better luck. 3. Xtreme won in good style at Port Macquarie two starts ago and then ran a creditable second at Taree. He should take plenty of beating. 4. Mini Angel wasn’t far away when seventh at this track when last seen and has bright prospects. 1. Master Artist wasn’t far away when resuming and warrants some thought.
How to play it: Referees to win.
Race 3
3. Jennibelle has only had three starts but has finished third in two of them. She ran well in the latest of her thirds at this track and is drawn to get a good run in this event. 6. Graceful Warrior
has finished third in three of four starts since resuming from a spell and looms as a threat. 7. Hezanuff is a last-start fourth placegetter at this track that can get into the money without
surprising. 2. De La Salle has had two starts without success but can improve.
How to play it: Jennibelle to win.
Race 4
5. Bobbiwaa is knocking on the door for a win after a second at Taree at his second race start and a fourth at Port Macquarie last time out. He gets his chance here. 6. Burning Ambition is a last-start second placegetter at Moree and can figure prominently with a repeat of that. 3. Stainless Steel was just behind the placings at this track last time out and can be in the thick of things. 1. Kiss’n Dance ran well when second here two starts ago and was a last-start fourth placegetter at this track.
How to play it: Bobbiwaa to win.
Race 5
11. Bright The Sun followed a third and a fourth at Ipswich with a last-start ninth at Eagle Farm against tougher opposition. She is better suited here and, on her best form, she rates as the hardest to beat. 5. Aldeenaary is a last-start Gold Coast third placegetter and can get into the thick end of things here without surprising. 1. Fulmen Filou looked good winning two on end here and at Tamworth before failing in tougher grade at Eagle Farm. 4. Mr Plume has been placed in two starts since winning at Taree and warrants respect.
How to play it: Bright The Sun to win.
Race 6
5. Pony Soprano scored a dominant win at Port Macquarie first-up from a spell and then followed that with an eighth in tougher grade and a ninth at Scone in a Country Championships Wild Card. He looks better suited here. 2. Starzam disappointed at this track when last produced but can improve in this. 10. Pressalong impressed when scoring a last start win at this track and can be thereabouts again with a repeat. 11. Full Regalia was a winner at this track before being spelled and resumed with a close-up second at Taree. He can be in the mix.
How to play it: Pony Soprano to a win.
Race 7
2. Gaylord won at this track last August and then took on a Highway event at Randwick where he finished eighth. He’s had two runs back from a spell and was a close-up fifth in the latest at Ipswich. 3. Superstitious comes into this after a last-start win at this track and looks to have solid claims again. 8. Dubalene hit the line well when a last-start second at Port Macquarie and that followed a win at the same track. 6. Coco Dreaming went down narrowly when second here last time out and can be thereabouts again.
How to play it: Gaylord each way.
Race 8
5. Strobing worked home well in the straight at Port Macquarie last time out when he finished second. His previous form was sound for a race like this, and he gets a chance to break through again. 9. Beearetee is an on-pace galloper that won here two starts ago and then ran third at this track when last produced. He should give cheek again. 8. Autumn Heir won at Taree in November
and then resumed from a spell at the same track last time out when finishing fourth. 1. Solar Power won at Port Macquarie two starts ago and then failed at
Coffs Harbour at his latest outing.
How to play it: Strobing each way.
Best Bets: Race 2: (2) Referees. Race 5: (11) Bright The Sun
Best Value: Race 8 (5) Strobing.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au