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By Ray Hickson

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

2. Royal Sky is a little query on a heavy track though wasn’t disgraced at his only attempt but has had the best ground for 2200m with a win over the trip at Sunshine Coast a month ago. Should run well.

Dangers: 5. Summit Special ran on well to place on a heavy track first-up this prep then around the mark in two runs at a mile on soft ground. If he runs out the trip strongly enough he can win. 3. Last Not Least was super consistent before heading to Sydney and failing at Canterbury on a heavy track. Has handled it previously and did win impressively over a mile a month ago. Entitled to another chance. 8. Open Market is next best but realistically has to improve on what he’s shown in four runs to date.

How to play it: Royal Sky WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Royal Sky wins at Sunshine Coast on February 13

6. Continuum is a 30 start maiden but surely she won’t get a better chance to break through. Game two runs back when narrowly beaten then set a task here last start and stuck on for another second. Handles the wet and this could be her day.

Dangers: 4. Rock Odyssey made some nice ground from well back though safely held in the same race as Continuum to run fourth. Another who has had a few chances but is racing well enough to be in the finish. 3. Jabali Rain made his debut in the same race and worked home into fifth placing without threatening. Can only be improved on that and if he handles the going has a show. 7. Intoremy wasn't fancied at her first outing but ran on okay when fifth over 1006m here a month ago. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Continuum WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Continuum runs second at Grafton on February 18

7. Kohinoor Lustre might be a good each way chance in a race that looks up for grabs. Best recent run was a close second on a heavy track at Port Macquarie three runs ago, ignoring last time at Newcastle. Will get back and no surprise if he runs into the finish somewhere.

Dangers: 1. Mirror One has been reasonably competitive at country level around the Hunter and South East but did battle a bit at Goulburn under 61.5kg last time. If he handles the ground well he’s a good chance. 5. The Wolverine is an interesting runner, he was beaten favourite on the polytrack at the Sunshine Coast at his first run for the new trainer and wasn’t beaten far. Check betting for a pointer. 2. Windabull hasn’t figured in the placings yet in four starts but at the same time hasn’t been too far off them either. Favourite when fourth at Canberra six weeks ago, back 300m here and is worth including.

How to play it: Kohinoor Lustre E/W ($19 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Kohinoor Lustre runs second at Port Macquarie on February 6

4. Leica Bita Fun ran well enough fresh on a heavy track at Port Macquarie, in a good form race, then not disgraced at Newcastle. Has placed at 1800m so extra trip no issue and he’s a definite chance.

Dangers: 8. Flying Euros has only won one from 31 but he’s been around the mark of late in similar events and has a couple of heavy track placings. Each-way hopes. 5. Concave ran a cheeky race two starts back at Port Macquarie but never in the race here last time out. Chance to improve in a race that's fallen away. 6. Onehero wasn't disgraced at Taree two runs back then probably best to ignore his latest at Newcastle as a pointer. Good wet track credentials so could surprise.

How to play it: Leica Bita Fun WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Leica Bita Fun’s first-up run at Port Macquarie on February 6

4. Wonderwhen is yet to miss a place in five starts and while she resumes without a public trial she should be competitive again. Goes forward, has handled a soft so far and with even luck early can give a sight.

Dangers: 3. Fortyfive Parklane had support at odds and ran right up to it at local debut for an easy maiden win here four weeks ago. No reason he couldn't be in the finish again. 10. Gus Lightning has won once in 21 starts but went very close when beaten narrowly at Lismore two months ago. Fresh here and bears close watching. 6. Cabsav was only fair on a heavy track here last start after racing handy. Back in trip and that might be the key.

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

Wonderwhen wins at Grafton on November 19

6. Daltoro started odds-on and got the job done in a similar race here a month ago on a soft 7 and won’t find this any tougher. Does go up 2.5kg for the win by just under half a length but he’s super honest and is clearly the horse to beat again.

Dangers: 2. Aheadofhistime meets Daltoro 1.5kg better for that clash but does have a wide gate to make his job a little tougher. Another who rarely puts in a bad one and he’ll be the main danger. 10. Patriot comes through the same race as well, he ran on from second last into fourth beaten 3.6 lengths. Also drawn out but will get back and sure to be running on again. 9. Northern Wilderose should be fitter for three runs back though has been a bit below par in them. Winner at Ballina on a soft track before a spell and given she generally performs in the wet she could surprise.

How to play it: Daltoro WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Daltoro wins at Grafton on February 18

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