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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

5. Exorealm was only lining up for his third race start when he showed improvement to score on a heavy track at Taree when racing on the speed and winning comfortably. He’s drawn to advantage in this and should be in the thick of things from the outset.

Dangers: 3. Jewels Statement was a winner on debut at Ballina and has since finished second at this track and again at Ballina. That form looks strong for a race like this. 1. Dize won on debut at Gosford and has since run third at Muswellbrook and fifth at Wyong. She should run well here. 10. Supidoman was placed at Murwillumbah at his latest start and is handy enough on his day.

How to play it: Exorealm WIN.

2. Cluster’s General has only had three starts but has been placed in both runs since resuming from a spell. He resumed with a second at Coffs Harbour and backed that up with a third at the same track, with both being on heavy surfaces.

Dangers: 6. One Smart Cookie has only had three starts and has performed well enough in each of them with last start second at the Sapphire Coast being a good enough effort to be considered a contender in this. 5. Bobby Is King has been racing well and followed a third at Lismore with a last start fourth at Tamworth. That form looks solid for this. 4. Reel Torque is on debut and won a trial at this track last November. He should be ready to run well here.

How to play it: Cluster’s General EACH WAY.

7. So You Can Torque had two trials before debuting with a fifth at Lismore when not beaten too far. He should have derived benefit from that hitout and the step up in distance in this looks made to order.

Dangers: 2. Hezanuff debuted with a fifth at Coffs Harbour late last year then ran third at this track before resuming with a fourth at Lismore last time out. He has the form to be rated a leading chance here. 13. Tosen Dreamer has been placed in 10 of 15 starts and warrants place thought again against these. 3. Millennium Prayer was placed when lining up for start three and can figure in the minor money again.

How to play it: So You Can Torque WIN.

7. Punjabi Landing was only lining up for his fourth start when he broke his maiden to score over 1800m on a soft track at the Sunshine Coast. He looks to have his share of potential and the step up in distance should suit.

Dangers: 1. Castel Trosino finished third at Ballina last time out and has a good overall record which should ensure he is in the mix again in this. 8. Quinky Deel comes into this on the back of a last start fourth at Wyong behind a subsequent winner and warrants serious thought here. 6. Flyball was doing his best work late at Scone last time out despite being beaten by a fair margin.

How to play it: Punjabi Landing WIN.

1. I Am Good At This has been down on his best form in his latest efforts but has the talent to give this a shake if he can find anything like his best form.

Dangers: 6. He’s A Copy Boy had been racing in solid form without winning before failing to beat a runner home in Highway grade at Rosehill last time out. He can improve sharply in this company 2. Imperial Hilton wasn’t beaten far when second at Lismore two starts ago, and followed that up with a midfield Newcastle effort. He could be placed here without surprising. 3. Boy Loves To Run has been racing well and is not out of this with a repeat of is latest effort.

How to play it: I Am Good At This WIN.

***BIG DANCE ELIGIBLITY***

2. Diamond Diesel has been racing in great form of late, having won three of his last four starts. He was a winner at Rosehill back in March, then ran fifth in the Takeover Target Stakes at Newcastle. He has since impressed when hitting the line well on each occasion to score over 1400m at Randwick and Warwick Farm, the latest in the Civic Stakes at listed level. He is up in distance for this but is giving the impression it will suit.

Dangers: 1. Cepheus won this race last year. He’s a well performed galloper and will appreciate a better track condition in this. 4. Estadio Mestalla won at Rosehill earlier in the year before running second at Randwick. He’s had two recent runs for a fourth at Randwick before a second to Diamond Diesel in the Civic Stakes and must be respected again here. 15. The Dramatist won with ease at Scone during the cup carnival then was down the track at Rosehill before bouncing back with a dominant Tamworth victory last time out and he has claims here with a repeat of that.

How to play it: Diamond Diesel WIN.

6. North Of Eli has been thereabouts having been placed in each of his latest three starts. He finished second in two runs at Murwillumbah, then ran third at Doomben last time out in what was a sound effort. He gets his chance to break through with another win in this.

Dangers: 2. Artzino has a solid enough record with a win and three placings from 11 starts. His recent form looks solid leading into a debut in this area. 10. Inferencia has finished second and then won at Tamworth at her last two starts and only needs to run up to those efforts to be a leading chance in this. 3. Edge Of Reward ran well enough when a last start fourth and could show up here with a repeat of that.

How to play it: North Of Eli WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 3 (7) So You Can Torque.
Race 6 (2) Diamond Diesel.

Best Value:
Race 2 (2) Cluster’s General.

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