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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 good track.

1. Au Revoir hasn’t been tried at this testing trip but he is racing in excellent form at present north of the border. Dominant all the way winner at Kilcoy over 1900m two weeks ago, imagine he’ll be on the speed here and is the one to beat.

Dangers: 2. I’mtimmyzou won well at Ballina on a heavy track two runs back the outclassed but not entirely disgraced in the Grafton Cup Prelude. Has won up to 2200m and right back in grade has to be respected. 3. Nature Boy ran third in this race three years ago so the trip isn’t a concern. Mixing his form at the moment but on his placing at Tamworth in a BM66 he could get into the money. 5. Crown’m has won once in 39 starts but that was at this track and he’s always run well here. Boxed on for third over 2200m last Sunday and has place claims again.

How to play it: Au Revoir WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Au Revoir wins at Kilcoy on July 9

1. Amador wasn’t fancied in betting first-up but did a good job running into second in at Eagle Farm over 1400m. Was placed here back in February and shapes as though the extra ground will be in his favour. Good chance.

Dangers: 5. Descending Mist has run his two best races at 1600m so a little further shouldn’t be an issue. Tried hard when placed for the first time at Gunnedah and drops 3kg. Wide gate a minus but otherwise must respect. 2. More Elements hasn’t been far off a win and may appreciate a firmer track than two weeks ago when running an even fourth over this course. 4. Wee Kahuna may not have been suited to leading here last time so forgive that, previous run was sound in a similar event. Each-way.

How to play it: Amador WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Amador runs second at Eagle Farm on July 10

9. Miss Moov was a shade unlucky when runner-up here last week and was well supported at odds to say she would fire. Nicely drawn again, slight distance increase a plus, and this looks a winnable race. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. He’s Poplar is an interesting first starter who certainly wasn’t pushed in his latest trial at Ballina. Was formerly trained in Sydney and any market moves will be significant. 5. Santos El Halper is going a little better than his form reads on paper, had a tough run here last week when out in trip and boxing on for fifth. Draw’s a bit kinder to him and he stays under notice. 13. What Artists Do debuted at Eagle Farm on a soft 7 with an even effort over 1200m. Finds a wide open race so if he can improve off that he’s in the mix.

How to play it: Miss Moov WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Miss Moov runs second at Grafton on July 14

8. Chilling did quite a good job when breaking through for his first win at Tamworth, beating a subsequent winner, and while naturally up in grade he seems to have turned the corner this preparation. Good each-way chance to back it up.

Dangers: 5. Picupstixx has only raced three times and was a winner on debut at this track. Struck a heavy track when resuming here two weeks ago and was a bit plain but likely improver back on top of the ground. 2. Star Emblem has been hit and miss with three wins from his last five starts. Game under 62kg to win here last month and has to be considered. 6. Calamity Fox was a decent drifter in betting first-up at Gunnedah and just battled a bit late. Another who will likely lift on a firmer track so keep in mind.

How to play it: Chilling EACH-WAY ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Chilling wins at Tamworth on June 21

9. South Boambee takes on older horses after quite a strong effort to overcome a tardy start and still hold them off to score two weeks ago. Will need to step away with them and if he does then he could easily measure up.

Dangers: 8. Bring Me To Life is racing well without winning of late and posted his third second placing from his past four when runner-up after leading here two weeks ago. Each-way claims again 1. Spring Eagle has his first run for a new stable after two starts back in Victoria. No public trials to go on but drawn well and in nicely with a claim. Respect. 2. Speedy Target disappointed at Murwillumbah last time but last win was at this track in April and from a soft draw should be in this for a long way.

How to play it: South Boambee EACH-WAY ($12 TAB Fixed Odds).

South Boambee wins at Grafton on July 7

13. She’s A Revelation has been racing well on heavy tracks of late so getting back onto a better surface should be in her favour. Won on debut on good ground, stays down in the weights with a claim and gets her chance to be in the finish.

Dangers: 2. Spiele is probably at his best around 1400m to a mile but can sprint well fresh on the back of two trials leading into this. Look for him to be hitting the line well. 12. Intoxel was narrowly beaten two starts ago at this track before an even effort at Murwillumbah a month ago. Draws soft and is worth including in the chances. 4. Pretty Shamrock won easily on a good track earlier this year but failed in two subsequent heavy track starts. Entitled to another chance back on top of the ground.

How to play it: She’s A Revelation EACH-WAY ($10 TAB Fixed Odds).

She’s A Revelation runs fourth at Taree on June 25

3. Bean Foggy is usually an honest horse so it might pay to forgive his heavy track failure at Eagle Farm when in the market earlier in the month. Form on soft or better is very good, he’s a backmarker so will need some luck but is a big threat here.

Dangers: 1. Office Jim didn’t have the best of runs when fifth in the Battle Of The Bush at Eagle Farm last month. Strung three together in country Queensland before that. Draws a lot better here and has to be respected. 4. Butch’n’bugs won at Coffs Harbour on a heavy track before thrown into the South Grafton Cup and he didn’t measure up. Much easier here and capable of bouncing back to form, which would put him in the mix. 8. Claptone is an honest type who has been placed in three of his last four. Seems to handle all going so he’s an each-way chance.

How to play it: Bean Foggy WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bean Foggy runs second at Eagle Farm in May

2. Do It For You has run into form this preparation with a nice second-up win then handled the better ground when a close third over a mile here last week. Back a notch in class here so up in weight but with even luck should be a major player.

Dangers: 1. Military Award is back sharply in grade after a close second in the Guineas Prelude two weeks ago. Up 5kg for the class drop and while drawn wide has to be respected. 11. Twisted Mistress was an impressive all the way maiden winner on a heavy track two weeks back at big odds. Did it easily enough so she should be considered as she’ll put herself on pace and give a sight. 16. Pride Of Ashleigh boxed on okay in the Guineas Prelude and was a winner here back in June. Drawn well and has claims.

How to play it: Do It For You WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Do It For You runs third at Grafton on July 14

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