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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 to soft track.

6. The Astronomer is quite a well bred youngster on debut and has been gelded since joining Stephen Lee’s team. Nice enough trial at Ballina recently suggesting he’s heading the right way and looks to have found a winnable race.

Dangers: 4. Rox’n’rol is a huge market watch at her first start for John Shelton, she trialled without blinkers back in March and wasn’t asked to do much more than follow them around. Shades on, drawn well and she’s a big query. 11. Russian Inn ran a cheeky race at big odds two starts back then not disgraced at Ballina in a busy finish. If the first starters aren’t above average she’s right in this. 9. Light Up The Dawn has been going around in Queensland with mixed results. Dalby placing two back was okay on the pace and has an each-way chance.

How to play it: The Astronomer WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

The Astronomer’s trial at Ballina on June 29

1. Tanglewood looks an up and comer and he made a mess of his maiden rivals when scoring easily first-up at Taree. Sat second and cruised on by then put five lengths on them. Only up 1kg and drawn to get every chance. Hard to go past.

Dangers: 5. Huss On First is also lightly raced and not seen since she was beaten as favourite at Eagle Far, in February. Trained here and while drawn wide she’s worth keeping safe. 2. Uncertain Terms has an honest record and while no match at Taree last time she had 62kg and held on okay after leading. Down 5kg here and that should assist. 7. Supidoman sat handy and kept trying first-up at Ballina running second over 1000m. Fitter and drawn well. Can show up.

How to play it: Tanglewood WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Tanglewood wins at Taree on June 27

13. Revontulet has a tricky gate to overcome but tend to settle off speed so will look to slot in somewhere. Sound effort at Ballina first-up when a minor drifter in betting so fitter and looks a good chance with even luck.

Dangers: 2. Bendolirra has improved with each run back but bumped into Al Ash Lad at Murwillumba last time and that horse just didn’t stop in front. Might be looking for the extra ground now and has drawn to get a soft enough run. Go well. 5. Enterprise Success led and was just nabbed at Arimdale before leading again and weakening at Coffs Harbour when a well backed favourite. Goes forward and has a case. 6. Heavenly Scent was a drifter in betting at Ballina second-up and didn't come into it over the shorter trip. Extra ground may assist.

How to play it: Revontulet WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Revontulet runs second at Ballina on June 12

2. Boulanger looks ready to win after three nice runs back from a spell including his latest strong finishing second at Lismore. Solid favourite there and only just missed. Bigger track suits. Sure to take holding out again.

Dangers: 14. Shukkas backs up after an even effort over 1720m here last week where it seems she didn’t run out the trip. Ran third in the same race as Boulanger before that over this trip and entitled to consideration on that. 7. Son Of Heroic has the blinkers on now after an even effort when fourth in that race at Lismore. He was a big drifter in betting there too. Can go forward from the gate and could be an improver. 4. Dispute disappointed when out to a mile at Taree two weeks ago but efforts at Port and Coffs before that were solid. Each-way claims.

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

Boulanger runs second at Lismore on June 20

2. Collection Point is very well placed in this restricted company coming back in class after disappointing at Eagle Farm two weeks ago. Strongly backed when runner-up at Lismore prior and this is a big chance for him to break through.

Dangers: 11. Minister Garrett is a big watch having his first run for the new stable after a midfield finish on the synthetic at Ballarat a month ago. He was right in the market there and ran on without threatening from last. Keep safe. 12. World Atlas gave a big sight up on the speed when run down late at Coffs Harbour last time out in a Class 1. Is racing well and has to be considered. 4. Highness failed to beat one home at his Australian debut, not passing a horse in the run. Hard to get enthusiastic even coming back to country grade but his win came at 2400m overseas so the trip will help.

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

Collection Point runs second at Lismore on June 20

7. Rebel’s Edge was a beaten favourite at Scone last time but did keep coming to go under less than half a length. Aside from his Highway failure he’s been competitive each time and with another soft draw will have every chance.

Dangers: 6. Mr Severino ran a much improved race third-up when leading at Scone in the same race as Rebel’s Edge to finish second. If he can hold that form now he’s right in the finish. 1. Full Press is down from open company at his last three starts and he hasn’t been far away. Sound fourth in the Wauchope Cup last time out and the 4kg claim brings him in well. 4. Claptone is back in form with a strong win over this trip at Coffs Harbour three weeks ago. If he can hold that form he's in the mix.

How to play it: Rebel’s Edge E/W ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Rebel’s Edge runs third at Scone on June 30

****BIG DANCE ELIGIBLITY***

4. Cotehele hit the front a bit too soon in the Civic Stakes at Randwick but was game beaten a length. Strong when winning at 1500m at Rosehill before that so the mile should be no issue especially from gate one. Should take plenty of beating.

Dangers: 1. Cepheus also brings Listed form into this race and he just found Irish Songs a shade strong at the Sunshine Coast last week when second. Racing well and if the 62kg doesn’t stop him he should be right in the finish. 7. Space Tracker gets in well with 54kg and will have his chance. He was entitled to win at Rosehill second-up but Attractable wanted it more. That horse has since won again so the form is solid. Definite chance. 8. Too Much Caviar could possibly lead these and he will be fitter for an even effort behind Stonecoat at Randwick two weeks ago. Placed in the Nowra Cup back in December and can feature here.

How to play it: Cotehele WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Cotehele runs fifth at Randwick on June 24

15. Taikun Tommy is a little out of his class but he’s flying with placings at his past two including an eye-catching third at Lismore two weeks ago. Extra 100m suits and if he can produce the same sort of finish here he could surprise. Each-way.

Dangers: 7. Kennysing made a positive return from a three month break with a closing third at Port Macquarie three weeks ago. Fitter for that and the extra trip is a big plus for him. Consistent type and has a good chance. 2. Alamira has been going well in Queensland recently, winning at the Sunshine Coast over 1200m before a fair effort when right in the market at Doomben in a BM68. Entitled to another chance. 6. Agirlsbestfriend didn’t come into it first-up in a Highway at Randwick but she is much better than that. Only has to recapture her form from earlier this year and she’ll be hard to hold out.

How to play it: Taikun Tommy E/W ($21 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Taikun Tommy runs third at Lismore on June 20

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