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By John Schell

(Selections based on a soft track)

1. Flame Tree Star has only had two starts and followed a debut third at this track with a last start narrow win here when racing on the speed and holding on well.

Dangers: 2. Scion has only had the one start and that resulted in a second to Flame Tree Star here earlier this month. He looms as the hardest to beat with a repeat of that. 4. Arguable is on debut for the Annabel Neasham stable and has looked good enough in her trials to be rated a leading contender. 3. Thunderous finished second on the Polytrack at the Gold Coast last time out and has shown enough ability to be rated a place chance here.

How to play it: Flame Tree Star WIN.

1. Spiritchaser is a former John Sargent trained galloper which is resuming from a spell for the Matthew Dunn stable here. She’s been placed in five of 10 starts and has had two recent trials.

Dangers: 4. Risk For Reward has been placed in each of his three trials and should be prominent here on debut. 2. Carbrook has been placed in four of his six starts and looks well placed to figure in the money again here. 5. More Elements is resuming from a spell but is in a top stable and has drawn well.

How to play it: Spiritchaser WIN.

5. Tarabeau was formerly trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and scored a maiden win at Scone two starts ago. He failed at Canterbury before being spelled and is a Taree trial winner.

Dangers: 2. Where’s The Fire powered home from back in the field to score a strong Muswellbrook victory last time out and should be hitting the line well again in this. 7. Boambee Beach was a winner here four starts ago then ran well in a couple more runs before scoring at Toowoomba last time out. 8. Clipper Ship won at Coffs Harbour last August then won again there last month when resuming from a spell. He failed here last time out but can bounce back in this.

How to play it: Tarabeau WIN.

4. Ideel Hero has been placed in three of his latest four starts and looks placed to advantage in this. If he runs up to that form then he can break through with a second victory here.

Dangers: 1. Princeton Award was on debut for the new stable when finishing a solid second on the Polytrack at the Sunshine Coast before failing to fire in tougher grade at Eagle Farm. This is easier and a forward showing is on the cards. 5. Ottoman Empire has finished third and fourth at his latest two starts here and is capable of another bold run, while 2. Wannawinwin has won her latet two starts at this track and warrants respect again.

How to play it: Ideel Hero WIN.

14 Whiskey Tower improved on her Ipswich debut when finishing fourth, beaten just over one length, at the Sunshine Coast at her only other start. She’s drawn to advantage here.

Dangers: 8. Yarra Princess had been racing well in a couple of runs at this track before performing well at Doomben last time out. That form looks good for a race like this. 6. Vermeer is first-up from a spell and has drawn the inside gate here which will assist his chances. 2. Monte Kahuna is third-up from a spell and should be ready to peak now.

How to play it: Whiskey Tower WIN.

5. Introvert has had one run back from a lengthy spell and performed well in it when midfield here. He’s won a couple at Ballina and can show up here.

Dangers: 2. Fun Enuff has won two of his last three starts at this track and finished third in the other. He is racing in great heart and should take a power of beating. 9. Desert Mist has been contesting tougher races than this at Doomben and Ipswich and can run well here without surprising. 4. The Maxinator ran well in a Highway three starts ago and has performed well enough in two runs since at this track.

How to play it: Introvert EACH WAY.

2. Swanston has hit form of late having been placed in his last two starts. He has the talent to show up again in this and looks to be one of the leading contenders.

Dangers: 5. Kapsali scored an easy Coffs Harbour victory three starts ago then followed a third at Taree with a fourth at this track. He’s drawn to get a good run here. 10. Olakau’atu is a well performed galloper which ran second at Coffs Harbour two starts ago then ran fourth at Tamworth. He has the ability to give this a shake. 11. Claptone was placed at Tuncurry last time out and can give this a shake as well if anywhere near his best.

How to play it: Swanston WIN.

2. Pickupstixx debuted here on April 1 and defied the bog odds to score a good victory. There was no fluke about that and he can go on with the job in this.

Dangers: 3. Under Twenty Two ram third and fourth at his first two starts late last year then was spelled. He resumed with a win at this track and followed that up with a strong win here, then failed to fire in tougher grade at Doomben. This is an easier assignment. 9. Manic Light resumed with a fourth at this track then broke his maiden here last time out. He’s racing well enough to give this a shake. 8. Lean In has a win and four placings from nine starts and resumes here on the back of two trials. She can run well here.

How to play it: Pickupstixx WIN.

10. Choice Witness has a wide alley to contend with but she has a good record with a win and three placings from six starts. She only needs a little luck in this to be back in the winners stall.

Dangers: 2. Solar Power broke his maiden when winning at Taree two starts ago then finished second at Armidale when last produced. He has the ability to give this a shake. 4. Bertinelli ran well when finishing second here at her latest start and is worth including among the place chances. 9. Call Me Super resumed from a spell with a win in maiden grade at Coffs Harbour, and has since finished fourth and fifth in acceptable efforts. This looks well within her reach.

How to play it: Choice Witness WIN.

11. Cabsav won a couple on end here before a last start close-up third here when beaten half a length. He’s racing in great heart and looms as one of the hardest to hold out in this.

Dangers: 2. Beef Week Princess was racing well earlier in the year when being placed in a number of starts as well as scoring a win at the Gold Coast at big odds in March. She failed to beat a runner home last time out at Doomben and has had a trial since. She can bounce back to form here. 9. Tectonic Plate won a couple on end at Ballina and this track before finishing fifth to Tribeca Star in the NRRA Country Championships here. She’s had a trial leading into this and is worth plenty of thought. 10. Lady Wardell resumed from a spell with a second at this track when last produced and is drawn to give this a shake.

How to play it: Cabsav WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 5 (14) Whiskey Tower.
Race 9 (10) Choice Witness.

Best Value:
Race 6 (5) Introvert.

All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday's Grafton meeting