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By Ray Hickson

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

3. Marecat has the credentials to win this if she can run the marathon trip. Ignore her last two in much harder metro company. Three runs back was far too good over 2200m on a heavy and was placed here before that. Go well.

Dangers: 4. Nature Boy gave nothing else a chance leading all the way at this track last week over the 2217m. Whether he can go back to back remains to be seen given he’s two from 30 but a repeat effort will give him a shot. 1. Chapal comes right back in class after battling in a Class 6 here on Wednesday. Form is mixed but does seem to stay well and that keeps him in the race. 9. Kliftee ran fifth in the same race as Chapal last time at Muswellbrook, stuck on well before that at Tamworth and placing isn’t out of the question.

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

Marecat wins at Gold Coast on May 15

4. Deliberation had a mixed first preparation but did show glimpses of talent. Fitter for two trials back and the latest of those was a nice one in behind them. Drawn well and has found a winnable race so has a good chance.

Dangers: 2. Calcareous was in the market at his only start back in August and beat one home. Since then he’s been gelded but not seen publicly since January when he trialled a couple of times at the Gold Coast. Watch betting. 5. Our Little Louie was in the firing line all the way and fought on pretty well first-up at Quirindi on a heavy track. Better for that and a firmer surface might assist too. 14. Mayari didn’t run a bad race first-up last prep at this track before a second-up failure and another break. Has the inside alley and is one to keep an eye on given how open this maiden is.

How to play it: Deliberation WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Destination’s latest trial at the Gold Coast on June 22

7. Catch A Thought might need a bit of luck from the gate but her first-up fifth was a complete forgive, she drifted well back and was held up before working to the outside when it was too late to get into the hunt. Expecting improvement.

Dangers: 12. Whitsunday Star is a stablemate to Catch A Thought and she was allowed to lead her trial before being held together in running a close third at Murwillumbah a month ago. Keep safe. 3. Inari Fox was a big drifter in betting but showed improvement into his second start at Murwillumbah as he raced handy and boxed on well to run second. On the up and well worth including.

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

Catch A Thought runs fifth at Casino on May 28

2. Le Figaro tends to race off the pace so a wide gate is not such a concern and she looks close to a win after two runs back. Just missed second-up at Ballina and while back 200m here there’s enough speed for her to balance up and hit the line. Go well.

Dangers: 10. Stella Reale had a mixed spring and summer prep winning at 1400m second-up. She resumes here after two trials and the latest at the Gold Coast was sound enough to say she can run well fresh from a favourable draw. 4. Devine Factor was well in the market first-up but disappointed when finishing midfield at Coffs Harbour after seemingly having every chance. Fitter and stable is having a good carnival so could easily lift.

How to play it: Le Figaro WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Le Figaro runs second at Ballina on June 14

4. Morethannumberone has his first run for Michael Costa and his NSW provincial form appears superior if he’s on song. Both trials back have been pleasing without being pressured and while 1100m is short of his best he is the horse to beat.

Dangers: 9. Shows Pride wasn’t disgraced running fourth over 1410m here back in April and attacks this race on the fresh side. Won here in March over 1215m and if there’s any support he’s worth keeping an eye on. 8. In Fiore has been thereabouts of late and just tipped out of a placing last time. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Morethannumberone WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Morethannumberone runs second in a Gold Coast trial on June 22

3. Galaxy Belle is bursting to win a race and might have her chance here after just missing out at Muswellbrook at 1500m third-up. Drawn wide so that early luck is vital but all things equal she’s clearly the one to beat.

Dangers: 7. Kawuneeche resumed with a tidy fourth at Casino then again ran on at Doomben to be beaten three lengths in a maiden. Ready to peak now and should be competitive. 9. Pratten Park appreciated the step up to this sort of trip at her third start to place here two weeks ago. Sure to be better for that, drawn to get a nice run and could be placed again. 2. Lookonchina has had a few chances and was beaten favourite here last time after leading. Drawn out but expect he’ll go forward and with even luck is capable of being in the finish.

How to play it: Galaxy Belle WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Galaxy Belle runs second at Muswellbrook on June 21

2. Getyourgreyon was a dominant winner at 1400m two runs back then up to metro company and a mile he raced handy but wasn’t quite up to it. Suited back to this trip and does appear very well placed. Should take some beating.

Dangers: 4. Texas Storm is always a chance and had the right run when proving too strong in the South Grafton Cup over a mile last Sunday. He’ll be around the mark once again. 3. Northern Knight was so game when resuming with a narrow win in the John Carlton here two weeks ago. Holds his form second-up and relishes the trip. Definite chance. 1. Bugalugs is yet to miss a place in nine starts at his home track and led them up when a close third behind Northern Knight first-up from a break. Hard to leave out.

How to play it: Getyourgreyon WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Getyourgreyon wins at Gold Coast on June 5

10. Allares had to work overtime early to land outside the lead so it was no surprise he weakened a bit late over this course a month ago. Only beaten a length, drawn better this time and is worth a look each-way.

Dangers: 3. The Catch won nicely first-up as favourite before a shade disappointing at face value here in the Guineas Prelude two weeks ago. Fitter and up in distance here so worth another chance. 1. Zavy’s Hope failed on a heavy track three runs back but all her other form this time in is consistent so if we stay in the soft range she has to be respected. Just failed at Lismore last time and is a winner at this track and trip. 16. Lettemgo could be a good roughie. Close second over this course two runs back then up to 2217m on a heavy track found it a bit tough last week. Nicely drawn and down in weight so is not the worst here.

How to play it: Allares E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Allares runs sixth at Grafton on June 12

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