WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON, JULY 13, 2025

By Darren Winningham | Saturday, July 12, 2025

This Sunday we head to GRAFTON for the second day of the 2025 GRAFTON JULY CARNIVAL.

It is the traditional GRAFTON TOYOTA SOUTH GRAFTON CUP Day with he track rated ‘Soft’. The rail is out 3 metres for the entire circuit.

The Club always puts on an amazing program and there are plenty of off-track activities to keep you busy.

There was a distinct advantage being on the speed last Sunday – I think that pattern of racing will continue here.

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

A maiden race to start the day off over 1006 metres.

Selections:

17 – Copenhagen Cat
5 – Chilled With Ice
7 – Hayley’s Rocket
11 – Torque Ti Amo
Rough chance – (1) Gaylord & (18) Sivo & (9) Exceed Me

Race 2

This race is over 1006 metres – Class 1 grade – a massive field. The first leg of the BIG 6 too!

Selections:

2 – Star Ambition
4 – Mofeed
13 – Dizzy Dee
5 – Beyond My Ken
Rough chance – (6) Hidden Trust

Race 3

A maiden over 1410 metres.

Selections:

4 – Another Peach
6 – Herald Angel
11 – Sawmill
8 – Maggie Rose
Rough chance – (3) Piedi Veloci

Race 4

Tough way to end the early Quaddie with a Class 3 race over 1410 metres. This is the first leg of the Quaddie with only seven races.

Selections:

3 – Monte Maximus
8 – Aye Aye Skipper
13 – Rock The Machine
6 – Talana

Race 5

First leg of the treble. A Class 1 race over 2220 metres – can these races get any harder!

Selections:

4 – So You Ready
3 – Fulmen Filou
2 – Captain Good Vibes
13 – Libby
Rough chance – (14) Top Level

Race 6 2024 GRAFTON TOYOTA SOUTH GRAFTON CUP

The second last race and the feature race of Day 2. The winner also gets a free entry into the BIG DANCE that will be contested at Randwick later in the year with a massive amount of prize money on offer! This is fast becoming one of the leading races on the Carnival.

Headley Grange (1) has won his past two starts for trainer Joe Pride. He will be ridden by Adam Hyeronimus – a once local jockey now doing amazingly in Sydney. It would be a special moment for him to post a feature race win on his local track. Headley Grange latest win was over 1400 metres and he will race on the speed – ticks a few boxes! In addition, he has a solid record over the mile – despite the massive 62 kilograms he looks well placed.

Sibaaq (2) will be ridden by Kyle Wilson-Taylor for Annabel & Rob Archibald. He was a gallant second in his past two starts over the Brisbane Winter Carnival over the mile. He hasn’t won in 162 weeks – not a great statistic – however, he continues to put in when he races.

Vivy Air (3) is a Ciaron Maher runner. Has been knocking on the door in her past two starts – the latest over the mile a month ago. Since then, has had a freshen up and a recent barrier trial hit out would suggest she is cherry ripe for this race. Ashley Morgan who rode superbly last weekend at the Sunshine Coast has the mount.

Mathew Dunn trains Boys Night Out (8) – a lightly raced four year old colt. He won at 1600 metres at Ipswich at his last start. Prior to that he won at Rosehill over 1500 metres. He is well placed here and, down in the weights, is a definite threat. Jake Bayliss, a true QLDer will ride and probably will have plenty to say to me as QLD won the Origin series in 2025. Another important statistic is … can Matthew Dunn post another win in the race – he has won it the past two years so can he set a record and win it for the third consecutive time?

Rough chances to Demon Darb (6) and Starzam (14) who both have genuine chances.

Selections:

1 – Headley Grange
3 – Vivy Air
2 – Sibaaq
8 – Boys Night Out
Rough chance – (6) Demon Darb & (14) Starzam

Race 7

The last race of this big day of racing. A BM66 race over 1610 metres.

Tough way to finish the day.

A Jordan Lee runner here with Ashley Morgan is the way I have gone. He is second up after a 22-week spell. He got too far back when resuming at Doomben in a midweek race. He will be fitter for that effort and looks a great chance to win the last race.

Sue Grills has snuck one in here To - Be Frank (3), who comes off a last start win at Tamworth. She always targets this Carnival with solid chances – this one is no different. Siena Grima retains the ride.

Selections:

13 – Caracoran
8 – Saxinoue
7 – Wonderland Star
5 – Strobing
Rough chance – (3) To Be Frank
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Jockey’s Challenge

I think this is an open affair between Ashley Morgan, Jett Newman and Kyle Wilson Taylor. I think Newman gets the win.

Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

5,7,11,17 / 2,4,13 / 4,6,8,11 / 3,8,13 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

5,17 / 2,4 / 4,6,11 / 3,8 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 4 to 7)

3,8,13 / 2,3,4,13 / 1,2,3,8/7,8,13 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 4 to 7)

3,8 / 3,4 / 1,2 / 7,8,13 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 5 to 7)

2,3,4,13 / 1,2,3,8 / 7,8,13 - cost is $48 to $1

BIG 6 (races 2 to 7)

2,4 / 4,6,11 / 3,8 / 3,4 / 1,2 / 7,8,13 - cost is $144 to $1

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