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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Monday’s meeting at Grafton. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

6. Fictive looked quite comfortable in her only trial running fourth at Coffs Harbour without a whole lot of pressure. By Sacred Falls so should love a wet track and any support would be significant.

Dangers: 9. She’s Got Teeth started $1.90 at her only start at Quirindi and disappointed missing a place. Have to respect the market there and give her another chance. 5. Eloheh was unfancied but hit the line well on debut at the Gold Coast over 900m in November. No public trials since but if she handles the ground she’s in the mix. 7. Oceans Of Energy hasn't been exposed in two trials but in top stable and if there's any support she may show up.

How to play it: Fictive WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Fictive’s trial at Coffs Harbour on March 2

2. Kennysing rarely runs a bad race so it’s worth forgiving his last start effort at Doomben. Narrowly denied in a C2 before that so this is a drop in class. Handles soft ground and has a good chance.

Dangers: 7. Too Much Heaven contested the same race as Kennysing at Coffs and just made some ground. Can mix her form but handles all conditions and this is also a class drop for her. Can run well. 3. Rahaan mixes form but generally runs well at this track. Ignore last run on the synthetic and she has claims on fourth placings here prior. 5. Skytain was a $1.45 chance when runner-up at the Gold Coast last time. Hard to line up but races handy and could give a sight.

How to play it: Kennysing WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Kennysing runs second at Coffs Harbour on February 18

2. Winter Thorn ran a handy race at Taree two starts back and is a winner at 2100m. Inclined to forgive last time and is worth another chance.

Dangers: 1. Mariinsky is one win from 24 and can mix his form. Finds this much easier than last time at Doomben. Has handled the wet previously and is an each-way chance. 10. King’s Star was in the market and led when third over 1700m here just over a week ago. Lightly raced and could be an improver. 5. Benbulben was placed in a maiden over this course three runs back. Led and weakened in latest. Shade easier here and could be placed.

How to play it: Winter Thorn WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

5. Miss Super won a similar race here a month ago before a fair effort at Doomben when a drifter in betting. Great record on her home track and likes give in the ground so there’s every chance she’s in the finish again.

Dangers: 6. In Fiore ran a handy second on a soft 7 here two starts back before finishing midfield behind Miss Super. Rarely runs a bad race on his home track and is well worth including. 1. Swanston won a couple of races on wet tracks back in September and is fitter for two runs back on good ground. While he’s been safely held in those he could be a sharp improver in these conditions. 7. Lucky Sham hasn't seen a wet track for a while but is racing well of late. Ran on into a placing at Coffs Harbour just under two weeks ago and could do the same here.

How to play it: Miss Super WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Miss Super wins at Grafton on February 10

5. Systemic is closing in on a win and he handled a heavy well when runner-up at Lismore a couple of weeks ago. Should be near his top now after two runs back and looks hard to beat.

Dangers: 10. Discreet Lady is a 15 start maiden but has been around the mark of late and tried hard when runner-up at Port Macquarie. Each-way claims. 3. Moggie debuted in the same race as Systemic and will be better for the run where she loomed up but didn’t finish off. Whether it was the heavy track we’ll find out here. 13. Tough Legend ran a nice race at Tamworth two back then back to 800m and wasn't a factor at Coffs. Could be an improver back up in trip.

How to play it: Systemic WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Systemic runs second at Lismore on February 24

8. Adelaide Fever is fitter for two runs back including a second-up placing at Lismore on a heavy track where she was handy and held on okay. That puts her in a good place to run well again and should be competitive.

Dangers: 5. Sugar Road may find the trip a bit sharp but a wet track will help. Runner-up in two starts before a spell including one on a heavy track and one at this track. Sure to be finishing nicely. 2. Bowdarcie disappointed on debut but showed a heap of improvement when a solid third over this course last week. If he can run up to that he’s an each-way chance again. 6. Shaggy Rogers ran on fairly at Lismore on a heavy last time out but was first-up there so is open to some improvement and has found a wide open race.

How to play it: Adelaide Fever WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Adelaide Fever runs third at Lismore on February 24

1. Mister Hemsworth hasn’t quite been up to provincial company this time in but he’s not raced badly with a few placings, including one on a soft 7, before disappointing last time. Every chance in this company to be competitive.

Dangers: 12. Introvert improved second-up on a heavy track at Lismore and he shapes as the type who will relish more ground. Wide gate may not matter in the wet and has to be respected. 8. Dark Prophecy comes through the same race at Lismore and she was quite good late at big odds. Extra ground should also help and she could surprise. 7. Daddy's Girl was placed on a heavy track here at her second start then not disgraced off a wide gate at Coffs. Draws wide again but has place claims.

How to play it: Mister Hemsworth WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Mister Hemsworth runs second at Gosford in February

1. Powder Man settled back and attacked the line in meeting best sectionals to win a maiden here last month and was only second-up there so should be even better for it. He’ll be hard to hold out again.

Dangers: 6. My Brother Bob had support and ran up to it when he led all the way to win a maiden at Lismore on a heavy track. Should roll forward again and can take running down. 5. Fire Up Bruce was narrowly beaten here two starts back then spelled after going down as favourite in a 1400m Class 1 here in September. Has won first-up and is one to keep an eye on. 2. Abrazen Laugh has had a few chances but was placed in a similar race three runs back and tried hard when third at Coffs last time out. One of the chances.

How to play it: Powder Man WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Powder Man wins at Grafton on February 10

All the entries, form and replays for Monday’s Grafton meeting