WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON, 27 JUNE, 2021

By Darren Winningham | Saturday, June 26, 2021

GRAFTON RACES – SUNDAY 27 JUNE 2021

Today we head to Grafton for the first day of the 2021 GRAFTON CARNIVAL where the track is rated “SOFT” and the rail is out 4.5 metres for the entire circuit. It is the traditional Westlawn Finanace day – black and yellow are the colours to be seen in. It will be an awesome five days of racing (over two weeks) and, if you are not in lockdown or subject to any restrictions, I would suggest you head to Grafton for some good old fashion country racing!

Just a brief preview.

NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.

Race 1

The two-year-old runners go around here – watch the markets for any moves closer to the start of the race.

Coco Rox (8), trained by Matthew Dunn, has had one career start and two trials leading into this assignment – looks well placed with Matthew McGuren to ride.

Selections:

8 – Coco Rox

Race 2

Another two-year-old field.

If Coco Rox wins the first race, then there is a nice lead in for this Gollan Racing runner Kindling Spirit (9) as she ran second to him in a recent trial. Will be ridden by Ben Thompson.

I like the roughie here trained by Daniel Bowen – Palawa Kani (11). He seems to produce one each year over the Carnival. I think that trial at Ballina was good enough to give this a shake. Will be ridden by Jeff Penza.

Selections:

9 – Kindling Spirit
11 – Palawa Kani
10 – Mama Rocks
5 – Feirme Prince
Rough chance – (7) Supreme Hero

Race 3

A maiden over 1720 metres – tough race.

Tony Newing from Gosford, a great NSW lad, trains Deep Thrillz (10) who will be ridden by Jenny Duggan. Just think second up she may go okay – if she does not fire in this race keep your eye on here as the Carnival progresses.

Royal Sky (7), another Matthew Dunn Racing runner, was a solid second last start at the Gold Coast over 1800 metres – deserves to be the pre-post favourite.

Selections:

10 – Deep Thrillz
7 – Royal Sky
4 – Lookonchina
5 – Oakfield Warpaint
Rough chance – (9) Agent Ninety Nine

Race 4

Edmonds Racing’s runner Dry Times (1) has a heap of gear changes – look for an improved effort here with Andrew Mallyon to ride.

Stephen Lee from Ballina has two solid chances in Lasting Kiss (5) – Jake Bayliss to ride - and Sailing (7) – Ben Thompson to ride.

A rough chance to San Antonio (3) who failed second up – will be better for the run.

Selections:

1 – Dry Times
5 – Lasting Kiss
7 – Sailing
2 – San Antonio

Race 5

An open affair this.

Michael Costa and Jag Guthmann Chester are a force to be reckoned with. They partner here with Voodoo Crown (4), who is second up here after a solid effort at the Sunshine Coast.

Queenofthecastle (11) is trained here by John Shelton and will be ridden by Ben Looker. She raced over 1400 metres last start at Coffs Harbour – was not disgraced – maybe could pop up here at a big price.

Keep your eye on Tuscan Leather (1) from the Stephen Lee Racing team. This runner gets in well with the 4kg claim for apprentice Jasper Franklin.

Selections:

4 – Voodoo Crown
11 – Queenofthecastle
1 – Tuscan Leather
3 – Claptone

Race 6

The first leg of the Quaddie is over 1420 metres. The Grafton Guineas Prelude – normally a great guide for the grand finale in 11 days’ time.

Looking for some value here with the Ross Stitt trained Ramsey’s Law (12) who will be ridden by Ben Looker. Has been racing over the mile in his past two starts – was inconvenienced last start in the running, but still worked home nicely.

Gdansk (1) is a Gold Coast runner from the Toby & Trent Edmonds yards. Last start was knocked over at the start and still managed to get back up and run a gallant second – looks well placed by Edmonds Racing – Andrew Mallyon to ride.

Alighted is trained now by Gollan Racing – handles wet tracks and the 1400 metres will be no drama – Ben Thompson to ride.

Selections:

12 – Ramsey’s Law
1 – Gdansk
4 – Alighted
7 – The Catch
Rough chances – (2) Oakfield Arrow

Race 7

First leg of the treble over 1115 metres.

Liza With A Zee (4), trained in Brisbane, by Gollan Racing makes the trip down the highway to Grafton. Had no luck last time out at the Sunshine Coast over 1000 metres. Look for an improved effort with the longer distance with Ben Thompson to ride.

In Fiore (14) always goes well at this track. Trained by Tony Newing, look for him to be very competitive second up here with Jenny Duggan aboard.

Selections:

4 – Liza With A Zee
14 – In Fiore
6 – Dixie Can
5 – Uprise

Race 8

The feature race on the first day – the John Carlton Cup.

Exclusive (1) won this race last year – comes in to the race fresh with Kirk Matheson to ride. Despite the weight he must be considered with some speed in this race.

Invincore (8) is Edmonds Racing runner who has won at this track. Ben Thompson rides for the stable. He is second up and has won second up.

Bugalugs (3) is trained on the track and is the Grafton local hope. Ben Looker will ride. Has had a four week freshen up and won a trial here impressively a fortnight ago. Can go fast in front or can take a sit – his chances should be enhanced if he gets a nice trail into the race.

Zac Attack (6) is trained by Edward O’Rourke and will be ridden by Zac Lloyd. These two did win the Bushgrove Cup here at the end of April. Then went to Doomben and ran an excellent race behind Gee Tee Tee. Her last start at Rosehill – maybe just rule a line through the run as she had no luck. Gets in well.

Charmed Princess (9) is a rough chance with an excellent at this track and record.

Selections:

8 – Invincore
3 – Bugalugs
6 – Zac Attack
1 – Exclusive
Rough chance – (9) Charmed Princess

Race 9

The last race of the day over 2230 metres – the Grafton Cup Prelude.

Purrfect Deal (1) is trained by Michael Costa with Andrew Mallyon to ride here. The blinkers go on this weekend. Last time out was solid in a good quality race at Eagle Farm. She was second up on that occasion and maybe just needed the run. Will strip fitter here and, despite the massive weight, should race well here.

Oakfield Cherokee (4) from the Kristen Buchanan yards looks a good staying prospect. Only lightly raced and a strong win last time out at Wyong over 2100 metres sets him up nicely for this race with a good difference in the weight from the top weight. That could be the vital factor late.

Polemic (2) won last time out at Ballina over 1900 metres. Jake Bayliss rode him last start and retains the ride. He will be sitting down and riding this one hard late if he is any chance of winning.

Allares (7) could fill a place on her recent efforts. She does get over a longer distance for the first time.

Selections:

1 – Purfect Deal
4 – Oakfield Cherokee
2 – Polemic
7 – Allares
Rough chance – (3) Flying Mojo
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Jockey’s Challenge

I think the result will be an open affair this weekend – I am going for Ben Thompson to just pip Matthew McGuren.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

9,10,11 / 4,7,10 / 1,2,5,7 /1,3,4,11 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

9,11 / 7,10 / 1,5,7 / 1,4,11 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,4,12 / 4,5,6,14 / 1,3,6,8 /1,2,4 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,12 / 4,14 / 3,6,8 / 1,4 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,5,6,14 / 1,3,6,8 / 1,2,4 - cost is $48 to $1

Winno