Grafton has six races on Tuesday, starting at 2:25pm, and the track is rated Soft 5. Several runners on this card won or placed here on a soft track recently, so local form on rain-affected ground is worth a lot.
Miss Fic in Race 4 is our best bet. She is well drawn and has been racing against similar maidens. Ever So Ready in the last is the other strong chance, and Doingiteasy in Race 5 is the value play of the day.
Race 1 - Maiden Plate (1700m)
Selection: Mission Strike Current odds: $3.60
Mission Strike has been off the scene for 44 weeks. His last run was a 10th in Hong Kong, so his form is hard to judge, but he joins a strong local stable and this is a much easier race. So Fortunate is the favourite and the main danger. She ran third at Port Macquarie last start and always finishes her races, so she should be in the finish again. Repeat Offender also finished well at Port Macquarie and is the each-way option.
Selections:
- Mission Strike - $3.60
- So Fortunate - $1.75
- Repeat Offender - $5.00
- Follow That Dream - $16.00
Race 2 - Class 3 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Jade Trees Current odds: $3.70
Jade Trees has won two of her three starts this campaign for Brett Dodson. She was only sixth at Lismore last time, but she comes back to a short sprint that suits her. Le Chocolat resumes after 26 weeks and has trialled. He won first-up last campaign and has drawn barrier one, so he is a big danger. Kirra’s Sister ran third at Ballina and wears winkers for the first time. Veecee and Amaya’s Secret, who gets a big claim from her apprentice, could both run a place.
Selections:
- Jade Trees - $3.70
- Le Chocolat - $6.00
- Kirra’s Sister - $3.50
- Veecee - $5.00
Race 3 - Benchmark 58 Handicap (2200m)
Selection: California Grass Current odds: $9.00
This is a speculative pick at a good price. California Grass has placed twice in metropolitan races this campaign and was only three lengths from the winner at Gatton last start. He finishes his races strongly, which will help over 2200m on a soft track. Mana Combat is the likely favourite after placing in city company and dropping in class. Woodland Wonder was heavily backed and only just beaten here on a soft track last start. Flaming Genesis drops back from Eagle Farm and should be near the lead. We would only bet California Grass each way.
Selections:
- California Grass - $9.00
- Mana Combat - $3.20
- Woodland Wonder - $4.40
- Flaming Genesis - $4.40
Race 4 - Maiden Plate (1400m)
Selection: Miss Fic Current odds: $2.50
Miss Fic is our best bet of the day. She ran third here last start for Matthew Dunn and has drawn barrier one, so she should be able to sit on the pace and avoid a wide run. Insain Chaos placed when fresh and his jockey is riding well for this stable, so he is the main danger. Who Loves A Harley ran second here on a soft track last start and handles the conditions. Bobbiwaa faded late here when resuming and should improve.
Selections:
- Miss Fic - $2.50
- Insain Chaos - $2.90
- Who Loves A Harley - $5.50
- Bobbiwaa - $6.50
Race 5 - Class 1 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Doingiteasy Current odds: $7.50
Doingiteasy is our value play. He was second at Lismore last start, only just beaten, and he has been improving with each run. He should get a good position from the start. Scrambling will start favourite after winning here by more than three lengths last time, and he has placed at every start this campaign, so he is a serious threat. Sorrenti won at Coffs Harbour and placed at the Gold Coast last start, although he backs up quickly. Referees has drawn barrier one and finished well here last time.
Selections:
- Doingiteasy - $7.50
- Scrambling - $3.20
- Sorrenti - $6.00
- Referees - $6.00
Race 6 - Benchmark 58 Handicap (1175m)
Selection: Ever So Ready Current odds: $2.90
Ever So Ready won here last start, finishing strongly, and has improved with each run this campaign. He goes up in weight, but he has enough speed to be in a good position. Il Fratello ran third at the Gold Coast first-up and has trialled since, so he should be fitter and is the clear danger. Brief Authority won here fresh last start but has the widest barrier. Valder backs up quickly but has been consistent.
Selections:
- Ever So Ready - $2.90
- Il Fratello - $7.00
- Brief Authority - $9.00
- Valder - $11.00
