By Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail out 3m so should be on pace early before slowly levelling out late for Jacaranda Cup Day.
Race 1 F & M BM 58 HCP (1610m): |
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Progressive 4YO Murwillumbah mare 1. Bling 'N' Bubbles bounced back emphatically dropping in grade last start when dashing away from the front, and while up in weight, this is no stronger and she'll be hard to get past again.
Dangers: Coffs Harbour 4YO 3. Penny Rosa did a sound job chasing Bling 'N' Bubbles last start, but doubt she can turn the tables up in trip and drawn wider out; while local 5YO 7. Anacreon continues to improve finishing nicely in a Class 1 last start after bolting in her maiden at Ballina two runs back.
How to play it: Bling 'N' Bubbles to win. Odds and Evens (First 2): Odds
Race 2 BM 66 HCP (1410m): |
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Tough and competitive race, with several chances, headed by progressive 3YO Gold Coast filly 6. Reef Bug who looks ready to strike over this trip fourth-up from a good draw and down in weight.
Dangers: Plenty of them. After a plain debut, and then nearly a year off, promising 4YO stallion 3. Royal Factor has made an impressive return for leading Murwillumbah stable winning two from three, although this is a little tougher. Lismore 4YO stallion 5. At Witz End looks better placed this grade and trip after failing to run on in a BM 70 at the Gold Coast. Finished hard to win a BM 68 the start before, and three of his four career wins have been at Grafton. Expect sharp improvement second-up from 7YO Gold Coast gelding 2. The Equalizer who was outclassed resuming in a stronger metro race, but draws the inside here over a more suitable distance.
How to play it: Reef Bug each way and box trifecta 3,5,6/3,5,6/2,3,5,6. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 3 C, G & E MAIDEN PLATE (1106m): |
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Super keen on 3YO Gold Coast colt and first starter 8. Tactical Move (Dissident x Take Charge by Dehere) who has looked sharp in two trials over the border, and draws a nice debut barrier for top juvenile stable.
Dangers: Ballina 3YO gelding 6. Shy Boy has shown good improvement in two runs this prep, and should be ready to peak over slightly longer journey from the inside draw. Watch the market on debutant 3YO local gelding 5. On Top Once More (Onemorenomore x I'montop by Danzero) who has trialled well. Still a maiden after 12 runs, the form of 4YO Pt Macquarie gelding 3. Line Up Girls looks all over the place, but he comes out of some handy maidens, hasn't seen a firm track for a long time, and draws to get the right sort of run second-up.
How to play it: Tactical Move to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Tactical Move's Gold Coast trial on September 30
Race 4 F & M MAIDEN PLATE (1106m): |
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Now the girls' turn over the same distance, and it's a little more open. Armidale 4YO mare 4. Lonny Lonny has been in and around the money all prep, and only run down late last start on this track. Should be in the finish again fifth-up from a good draw, and in well at the weights after rider's claim.
Dangers: Another debutant, 4YO Ballina mare 2. Canford Springs (Canford Cliffs x Sorenstam by Encosta de Lago) also looks ready to perform off a smart winning trial; while 3YO Ballina filly 11. Miss Whittington can improve second-up after running on nicely on debut at the Gold Coast.
How to play it: Lonny Lonny to win. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 5 CL1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2220m): |
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Like the way 4YO Gold Coast gelding 1. Kingly is working towards a win as the distances rise. Has done his best work late in last four runs in some handy fields, and should be right at his peak now for this trip.
Dangers: Consistent 5YO Ballina mare 5. Lady Grande looks the immediate threat after a dominant maiden win this track. Up sharply in trip, but draws to get a nice spot right behind the speed; while 5YO Lismore gelding 9. The Sledgehammer has also shown steady improvement in four runs back from a long break, and is bred to get over plenty of distance. Will be shocked if anything else wins.
How to play it: Kingly to win and box exacta 1,5,9. Odds and Evens: Odds
Kingly runs third at Lismore on October 22
Race 6 MAIDEN HCP (1710m): |
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Smartly bred 3YO Gold Coast filly 2. Miss Gem has made a solid start to her career, and ready for the longer trip now at fourth start. Two runs back was beaten under three lengths behind the smart Cellarmaid at Doomben, and draws to get nice cover just off the speed.
Dangers: Newcastle 4YO gelding 1. Vegarein hasn't quite finished it off in his last few, but this looks a little easier and gets blinkers for the first time. Local 5YO mare 7. Dominica Rose has finished fairly in her last two on this track, and also suited by the rise in distance third-up; while don't be fooled by the ordinary record of 4YO Taree gelding 10. Phylave who has only been placed once from 17 starts. Hasn't been beaten far in a few maidens with far more depth than this, and draws to get an ideal trail around midfield.
How to play it: Miss Gem to win and box trifecta 1,2,7,10. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 7 JACARANDA CUP (1106m): |
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Feature race of the day is a real battle of early speed and tactics, and could all hinge on whether smart 6YO Gold Coast gelding 2. Dream Master gets over and finds a position from the outside gate. Came off an easy trial win to destroy a Class 5 field at Doomben six weeks back before kept right up to the mark with another trial win in open company. Always raced sparingly to preserve his natural early speed, and looks the class sprinter.
Dangers: Toowoomba 6YO mare 1. Jadentom also boasts an impressive winning strike rate, and draws the fence with blinkers coming off for the first time. Wasn't beaten far resuming at Eagle Farm, although has to give her main danger 2.5kg. Casino 7YO gelding 5. San Sierra led all the way in a BM 66 two runs back before closing off okay in the Jacaranda Prelude, and draws a nice barrier. Include rival 6YO Tamworth gelding 10. The Lion in wider exotics after hitting the line hard second-up in the Prelude, and draws to get a soft run with plenty of cover back in the field.
How to play it: Dream Master to win and trifecta 1,2/1,2,5,10/1,2,5,10. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 8 BM 58 HCP (1206m): |
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Moderate and even contest to finish. Gold Coast 4YO gelding 6. Painted Wolf wouldn't need to improve much to win this after finishing fairly in similar grade at Murwillumbah. Showed good speed winning his maiden three runs back, and has natural improvement on his side.
Dangers: Local 5YO gelding 3. Midweek Hustler looks the obvious threat back in grade after hitting the line nicely in his last two, but up sharply in weight and drawn off the track. Eagle Farm 4YO gelding 5. Shadyvale Star mixes his form, but flew home late in a BM 60 at the Sunshine Coast last start; while 5YO local gelding 7. Wu Long Shi can peak fourth-up after hitting the line nicely in Class 2 company.
How to play it: Painted Wolf to win and box trifecta 3,5,6,7.
All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Grafton meeting