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By Nick Berney

Tips and race by race preview by Nick Berney for Thursday’s Grafton meeting. Selections based on a soft track. Monitor for bias/pattern.

6. Star Magnum chased a fast tempo first-up at Eagle Farm 15 days ago and battled on well to hold third place. The four-year-old gelding improved significantly second-up last preparation and won dominantly, producing a career peak figure in a similar grade. Further, he led at a moderate tempo that day but accelerated away from his rivals, running the fastest final 600m split of the entire meeting in 34.24, and a repeat of that effort will make him hard to catch. The Matthew Dunn trained galloper will roll forward, has a strong starting price profile, and is suited to this grade.

Dangers: 9. Horowitz is wound up for this event after two solid trials. The five-year-old gelding can be positive out of the gates from barrier one, and Tommy Berry rides for the first time. Definite chance. 10. Tango Stepz was impressive, winning at Scone last start and sprinting away from her rivals to win in style. She will get back from the draw but expect her to be savaging the line. Add 11. Baiyka to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Star Magnum WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Star Magnum winning second-up last prep at Lismore on October 17

7. Aquarius was solid in defeat first-up in a fast-time race with decisive margins throughout. Further, she had every chance in the run but raced well and ran her final 600m/400m splits in 34.64/23.04. The filly has very strong form lines for this event and is well placed from a soft draw. She will undoubtedly be fitter, and the rise in distance is ideal.

Dangers: 6. Our Kiwi Princess will have to overcome a tricky draw but is coming out of time/sectional merit races throughout her career. Expect her to be hitting the line hard. 8. Galbalan is an honest type and deserves a win. Add 12. Daedalus and 5. Taking The Mikki to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Aquarius WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Aquarius runs second at Murwillumbah on June 30

9. Kokoro resumes and has trialled well enough in preparation for this assignment. First-up last prep the gelding just got too far back at Goulburn and ran on well making up considerable ground. In addition, that race has since produced five subsequent winners. The John O’Shea trained galloper has always promised ability and gets a favourable setup.

Dangers: 2. Bullet Wing was rock-solid in the market in a stronger grade last start at Rosehill. However, the gelding failed due to the testing conditions. Additionally, that market intelligence must be respected, and he maps to lead and control. 7. Karaoke King is an improving type with a short sharp sprint and will get his chance from the soft draw. 1. Military Parade is reaching optimal fitness and receives a significant barrier change.

How to play it: Kokoro WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Kokoro runs fourth in a trial at Hawkesbury on June 21

6. Oakfield Arrow resumed at Rosehill 12 days ago in extremely testing conditions and was specked $12-$10 in the market. Further, the mare led at a strong tempo before fitness gave out, and she battled on ok to hold fourth place. The Kristen Buchanan trained galloper improved significantly second-up last preparation and produced a career peak figure. Additionally, she had every chance that day but sprinted away from her rivals in style and repeating that effort can put her in the finish. She maps to control the pace and the drying surface suits. Each-way.

Dangers: 7. Sequana got too far back last start and was checked/blocked at critical stages. The four-year-old mare can settle much closer from the softer draw and races best off a freshen-up. 10. Rivabrook returned a dominant winner and market watch on 2. Tara Jasmine.

How to play it: Oakfield Arrow E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Oakfield Arrow runs fourth at Rosehill on July 2

14. Russian Warrior was on an upwards ratings spiral last preparation and went out a dominant winner. Further, the two-year-old resumes here and has trialled well in fast time/sectionals and is ready to run well. The filly will need a perfect ride but has the ability/figures to overcome the wide draw. In addition, expect her to look for cover early and unleash her customary sprint late.

Dangers: 3. Fashion Legend was checked/blocked at a critical stage on debut at Kensington 15 days ago and picked himself back up to finish off well. Blinkers go on for the first time, and he maps to have all favours. 7. Mr Tobasco, who represents value, is rock-hard fit and in-form. He hit the line hard last start to score at Taree and will be running on again. 1. Durnstein bolted in at this track 9 days ago and won eased down. He faces stronger opposition but can improve again. Add 9. Deep Opinions to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Russian Warrior WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Russian Warrior wins a trial at Murwillumbah on June 30

Hard to go past 9. Parksville who has trialled well in fast time/sectionals and wasn’t extended in his latest heat at Coffs Harbour. The four-year-old races well fresh and will roll forward with a favourable map. The Brett Dodson trained galloper has strong form-lines throughout his career and has a string of figures that can win this race.

Dangers: 19. Crowned Empress is a knockout chance coming out of a high-rating race, and she improves when getting deeper into her prep. Further, she receives a senior metropolitan rider for the first time and expect her to hit the line hard. 8. Tuscon Valley is as consistent as they come winning her past four starts and it is most definitely a chance here. 15. Boncassie is suited in this grade and add 1. Aheadofhistime in all exotics from a soft draw.

How to play it: Parksville WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds) & Crowned Empress WIN ($61 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Parksville wins a trial at Coffs Harbour on June 17

Import 5. Youth Spirit was solid in his Australian debut at Rosehill 26 days ago, and his final few bounds/work past the post suggested he can improve significantly second-up. The four-year-old has elite Group 1 form-lines from overseas last prep and brings multiple winning figures for this event. Further, although well beaten, he started a respectable $26 in the Group 1 Cazoo Derby. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained galloper will be fitter, the rise in distance suits, the rain-affected ground is ideal, and he has a positive map.

Dangers: He is hard to catch but forgiving of 7. Alakahan’s last start, where he was 28 days between runs, had the bias against and struck an extremely testing track. He can bounce back, and if he can repeat his prior start, that figure/effort will put him in the finish. 2. Dr Drill comes from the same race as Youth Spirit and has the starting price advantage over him. Additionally, he had the bias against and ran on well. Expect him to map in a forward position and race well. 1. Berdibek lost all his momentum at a critical stage last start and then proceeded to race in the inferior ground. Hugh Bowman goes back on, and he is another hope in an open contest. 6. Arapaho, in career-best form, is rock-hard fit and must go in all exotics.

How to play it: Youth Spirit WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds) & Alakahan WIN ($13 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Youth Spirit runs fourth at Rosehill on June 18

11. Hidden Hail who resumes, represents value, and has trialled well in fast time/sectionals. The five-year-old races well fresh and produced his career peak figure first-up last preparation that aligns well relative to his opposition. Additionally, the gelding has a strong record over the specialist distance. Expect him to roll forward and give a sight.

Dangers: 1. Tavisan has trialled well enough and is wound up for this event. The six-year-old gelding has strong form lines, maps to have all favours, and jockey Hugh Bowman rides for the first time. 8. Ice In Vancouver is a consistent type with a fantastic record. He will undoubtedly be in the finish and receives a senior metropolitan jockey for the first time in his career. 5. Cardiff can bounce back on a drier track and must go in all exotics.

How to play it: Hidden Hail WIN ($11 TAB Fixed Odds) & Tavisan WIN ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds).
Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Hidden Hail wins a trial at Murwillumbah on June 21

Best Bet Race 4 # 6 - Oakfield Arrow E/W

Next Best Race 7 # 5 - Youth Spirit & # 7 - Alakahan

Best Value Race 8 # 11 – Hidden Hail & # 1 - Tavisan

Quaddie:

Leg 1: 14,3,7,1,9
Leg 2: 9,19,8
Leg 3: 5,7,2,1
Leg 4: 11,1,8,5

Combinations = 240.

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