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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Saturday’s Country Championships meeting at Grafton. Selections based on a good track.

3. Inari Fox didn’t have a lot of luck on debut and was probably at the end of his prep before a spell but showed some ability in that first campaign. Given a nice quiet trial, drawn well and gets in nicely with the claim. Looks a good chance.

Dangers: 10. Super Art has placed at both starts at big odds back in November and returns without a public trial. She’s a little hard to get a line on but if she repeats those efforts she can be in the finish of this. 9. Rhapsody Queen is an interesting first starter, a four-year-old, and has finished second in both trials including one here recently. Sure to have her chance from the alley and is worth keeping safe. 8. Mullumova faces a bit of a task from the wide gate but fitter for one run back at Ballina where she went back from a wide gate and ran on evenly.

How to play it: Inari Fox WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Inari Fox’s trial at Ballina on January 14

6. Seaczar will need some luck from a wide gate but coming back to 1206m looks a good move after he hit the lead here at 1410m last time and was run down. Consistent type who should be around the mark and if he gets the breaks is a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 2. Auzstar is ex-Chris Waller now with Warren Gavenlock locally and he’s not been seen since running second at Wyong back in mid-December. Nothing in the way of a public trial and drawn awkwardly but should measure up here. 5. Justinian was spelled after making debut for Graham Payne with a handy second, albeit beaten favourite, at Armidale in May. Not seen publicly since, drawn well and has to be respected. 7. Whatever I Say is another drawn wide but there was something to like about his first run for Paul Shailer when closing into second at Port Macquarie on a heavy track a few weeks back. Must include.

How to play it: Seaczar E/W ($13 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Seaczar runs third at Grafton on February 1

2. Butlers Beach hasn’t been too far away at his past couple up to this sort of trip and should be better for them. Had some support last time and worked home well after drawing wide. Ideally drawn here, blinkers come off, and has to be a good each-way hope.

Dangers: 12. Last Not Least has a string of minors to his name but that win will come sooner or later. Last four placings have been by under a length so expect him to be the finish and he can win if things work his way. 9. Consensio had his first try in this distance range for the new stable, same race as Butlers Beach, here earlier this month and tried hard when runner-up. Will have every hope in a similar race from an inside gate. 3. Consulaide was back in distance second-up but did improve to run into fifth at Taree. Big odds there but this trip shapes as much better and he could surprise.

How to play it: Butlers Beach E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Butlers Beach runs fifth at Grafton on February 1

2. Don’t Cry Mama should run well fresh in a wide open race. Form last time in was honest and he has a solid first-up record. Forgive last run before the break on a heavy track and he trialled well behind Franklin Corners a couple of weeks back. Go well.

Dangers: 6. Baiyka has switched stables to Aiden St Vincent since failing in a Highway at Randwick in August. Was honest at this sort of level prior to that and while not seen in any trials it’ll be worth keeping her safe. 7. Humanitarian is from the same stable and also hasn’t trialled since a break. Placed at 1012m fresh last time in and is more than capable of featuring. 4. Hauraki Gulf didn’t fire on a heavy at Port Macquarie last start but his good track form is very honest and he’s well worth another chance back on top of the ground.

How to play it: Don’t Cry Mama E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Don’t Cry Mama runs second in a Grafton trial on January 23

12. Boncassie finds a nice race after an even second-up effort at Randwick last week in a Highway. She was on pace and boxed on but no match for a number of Country Championships types. Form prior was strong and while she’s short enough she’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 4. Taikun Tommy rounded up his rivals in impressive style from the back to win a Class 1 here second-up. Barrier of no concern as he’ll be back and he could go on with it. 13. Little Prophet had good support at her fourth runs back and proved a bit too strong when scoring at Taree a month ago. Another up and comer who might be up to the task. 2. Cutting Loose has been racing well since a win here back in November. Drew wide and gave away a start when a close fourth at Glen Innes a month ago. Kinder gate here and has each-way claims.

How to play it: Boncassie WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Boncassie’s first-up second at Port Macquarie on January 21

2. Ultimate Man is super consistent and improved nicely second-up to score a narrow win at 1410m here. Romped in at this track before a spell. Extra trip only a plus for him and while drawn wide he’d only need a little bit of luck to be somewhere in the finish.

Dangers: 12. Fior The Tiger hasn’t been so effective at 2200m at his last couple so the drop to the mile looks in his favour. Won well at the trip at Coffs Harbour in December and can improve. 1. Nishikori is right back in grade after two runs at Warwick Farm in January. Finished last on both occasions so you have to take him on trust a little that he can produce his best. If he can he’s right in the finish. 4. Above The Lot probably didn’t run the 2200m here last time but before that recorded three placings at a mile and 1900m. Should enjoy a soft run and is entitled to another chance.

How to play it: Ultimate Man WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Ultimate Man wins at Grafton on February 1

12. Kapsali is an up and comer who was solid in betting first-up and was surging away late to win a maiden in good style. That was off one trial and while up in class he’s drawn to be right there again and no surprise if he repeats the dose.

Dangers: 8. Trogir doesn’t win out of turn but he’s a hard and tough customer who fought hard when headed at Armidale last time. Placed in the Inverell Cup before that so back to a BM58 suits. Hard to beat. 2. Terrius might be running into some form with a close on pace second to Ultimate Man over 1410m here. No harder and only needs to hold that form to be in the finish. 6. Our Girl Eve is racing consistently and hit the line strongly last week at Walcha to just miss. Back in trip but has been competitive in stronger grade so has a show.

How to play it: Kapsali WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Kapsali wins at Grafton on January 23

4. Far Too Easy has by far the strongest form credentials to win this and he probably will if things go his way from the tricky draw. Listed placed two runs back then beaten under three lengths by King Of Sparta at the Gold Coast. Unbeaten at this track and clearly on top. Read trainer David McColm's comments here.

Dangers: 5. Parksville hasn’t been tried at this distance but he’s a talented sprinter and did it a little easier than the margin says second-up a few weeks back. Will lead or be right there and if he gets a soft time could be hard to run down. Read trainer Brett Dodson's comments here. 12. Hellenism ran a cheeky race in the Ramornie here in the winter so is definitely up to this level. Fitter for two trials and the latest was a solid one at Newcastle over 1200m. Likely settles in the first half and she’s more than capable. Read trainer Aiden St Vincent's comments here. 9. Bean Foggy is an up and comer who won here and at Ballina in good style before stepping to 1400m last start and running on into second without threatening. Harder here but blinkers go on and it wouldn’t surprise if he’s in the placings.

How to play it: Far Too Easy WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Far Too Easy runs fourth at the Gold Coast on January 15

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