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By Graeme White

The slate has been wiped for Wild Wind who resumes racing at Grafton on Monday with expectations he can justify his $2.40 favouritism on TAB at his first race start for five months.

Coffs Harbour trainer Donna Grisedale has done all the preparation this campaign for Wild Wind who formerly raced in Sydney and the provincials for his first six starts.

Wild Wind (Christian Reith) parades at Newcastle when previously trained by Team Hawkes. Image by Bradley Photographers

Grisedale won at her first start with Wild Wind at Coffs Harbour in maiden class in February before he was slow away when fifth in a six-horse field at Wyong.

Immediately sent for a spell, Wild Wind has pleased Grisedale in two jumps outs leading into his return in the Book A Christmas Race Day Marquee Class 1 (1006m).

“I do think he can win if everything goes his way,” she said.

“He has gone really well in the jumps outs – the first was for fitness and the second was to get him right for Monday.

“He has drawn extremely well and I decided to use a four kilogram claim (Jasper Franklin) as he originally had 62.5 kilograms.

“He will still carry more weight than the other horses, but at least he comes back to 58.5 kilograms after Jasper’s claim.”

Wild Wind is a son of I Am Invincible who won a few trials in Sydney before commencing his career with John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes.

“I originally purchased him to race myself, but some owners were looking for a horse so Tom and Aileen Ford from Sydney are the main owners,” Grisedale said. “They have had some good horses over the years including Victory Vein,”

Wild Wind falls well short of the class of Victory Vein who won 12 races, but he looks suited to win his share of races against the right level of country opposition.

“I think the horses were too good for him at Wyong, but he also missed the start by a few lengths and was out of play over 1000 metres,” Grisedale suggested. “He won a $35,000 maiden over 800 metres at Coffs Harbour when we first got him and only had him for a few weeks.”

Wild Wind is one of the shortest-priced favourites at the meeting ahead of I Am Bolt ($4.60) and Manly Hanover ($3.80). From barrier two, Franklin should be able to position Wild Wind wherever he chooses and from there it will be up to the sprinter, according to his trainer.

“You can never be 100 per cent certain with horses, but I believe he will be hard to beat on what he is showing this preparation,” Grisedale said.

The trainer will also saddle up Tiomo in the Winning Edge Presentations Class 3 (2220m) for which he is the second favourite at $3.30 behind Hubble ($2.60). Her husband John will ride Tiomo whose last start over 2220 metres at Grafton produced his best effort this campaign when he finished third.

Donna also owns Tiomo who is overdue for his first win in five starts this campaign: “If the right horse turns up he is a definite chance,” she said. “He ran third at the Grafton Cup meeting and is back to weaker grade."

Tiomo was placed in a Class 6 and drops a lot on in grade, but also steps up in the weights by two kilograms.

“I was gutted after his last start at Ballina when he didn’t figure so I’m hoping he can bounce back in a suitable race,” she said.

Grafton will conduct eight races on a Good 4 rated surface.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Grafton here