WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON, JULY 12, 2026
By Darren Winningham | Saturday, July 11, 2026
GRAFTON RACES – SUNDAY 12 JULY 2026
This weekend we head to GRAFTON for the second day of the 2025 GRAFTON CARNIVAL. It is the traditional GRAFTON TOYOTAL SOUTH GRAFTON CUP DAY with the track rated ‘Soft’. The rail is out 3 metres for the entire circuit.
There was a distinct advantage being on speed last Sunday – however, the swoopers were able to make ground out wide on the track and chime in late.
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
A maiden & Class 1 race to start the day off … over 2200 metres. What a tough way to start the day!
Selections:
2 – Divine Effort
1 – Bow Tie Affair
10 – Frictional Force
6 – Montevecchio
Rough chance – (7) Smokey Saint
Race 2
This is a race over 1006 metres – Maiden grade – a massive field. The first leg of the BIG 6 too!
Selections:
3 – Didies Meadow
12 – So Sain
6 – Miss Dipsey
11 – Sinfull
Rough chance – (1)
Race 3
A Class 1 race over 1006 metres.
Selections:
2 – Constellation
6 – Autumngirl
4 – Steffi Electrica
9 – Hayleys Rocket
Rough chance – (1) Zouking
Race 4
Tough way to end the early Quaddie with a maiden race over 1410 metres. This is the first leg of the Quaddie with only seven races.
Selections:
4 – Redland Bay
2 – Goodonya Ausbred
12 – Miss Midas Touch
11 – La Regina
Rough chance – (6) Antonucci & (1) Bucket Lust
Race 5
First leg of the treble. A Class 3 race over 1410 metres.
Selections:
4 – Archie Maximus
8 – Autumn Miss
3 – Jukebox In Siberia
1 – Think Like Paddy
Rough chance – (6) Chica Del Mar
Race 6 2024 GRAFTON TOYOTA SOUTH GRAFTON CUP
The second last race and the feature race of Day 2. The winner and the runner-up will be eligible for entry into the BIG DANCE which will be raced 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.
Bjorn Baker has launched an assault on the race with three runners – they all have genuine chances and feature in my selections.
War Eternal (1) raced in the Brisbane winter racing carnival and posted 3 consecutive wins - he has got a mammoth weight, but he carried these weights in Brisbane successfully to victory on numerous occasions, his last start only going down in the shadows of a post in a narrow margin in a tightly contested race. Nick Heywood has the ride – is a strong chance.
The stablemate Midnight Dynamite (2) Is having his third start in this preparation. He won first-up and was solid at his last effort at Listed level over 1400 metres. He is looking for his first victory at the mile, but he gives me an indication that he'll run the distance out strongly. He has drawn extremely poorly in barrier 17. Rory Hutchings will be on board and will need some luck to get him across and take up a good position throughout the running.
Hollywood Hero (7) is the final Baker runner. He is third-up here. He is proven at this distance. Drops 6 kilograms from his last start – in saying that does go up in grade. Winona Costin will ride – she won the race in 2022 aboard Surf Dancer. If they go fast here – look for him to be flying home out wide late.
Mr Chaplin (10) will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for Tom Charlton. A lightly raced four-year-old, he is third up for this assignment – funny thing is that he has not ever placed third up in two previous efforts. He is an overseas runner – transferred to an Australian trainer – maybe he can change those stats. He will run the mile out – keep safe.
I like one here at around $9 – Know Thyself (4) with Aaron Bullock to ride for Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich. This combination is a very powerful team when they unite. This five-year-old gelding has a tremendous racing record with 16 starts for 8 wins. He pulled up lame last start in the Listed McKell Cup over 2000 metres. A mile is more his go for mine – watch for a huge effort here and Bullock’s first South Grafton Cup success.
Selections:
4 – Know Thyself
10 – Mr Chaplin
2 – Midnight Dynamite
1 – War Eternal
Rough chance – (7) Hollywood Hero & (3) Kronenbourg
Race 7
The last race of this big day of racing. A BM66 race over 1610 metres.
Tough way to finish the day.
Selections:
9 – Vixenette
13 – Monarch Express
10 – Bails
14 – Queen Of Tayrona
Rough chance – (8) In The Fine Print
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Jockey’s Challenge
I think this will be an open affair this weekend – Nash Rawiller, Ben Looker, Aaron Bullock and Nick Heywood all have a chance. I think Heywood gets the win.
Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)
1,2,10 / 3,6,12 / 2,4,6 / 2,4,12 - cost is $81 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)
1,2 / 3 / 2,6 / 2,4 -cost is $8 to $1
Quaddie (races 4 to 7)
2,4,12 / 1,3,4,8 / 1,2,4,10 / 9,10,13 - cost is $144 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 4 to 7)
2,4 / 3,4,8 / 4,10 / 9,13 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 5 to 7)
1,3,4,8 / 1,2,4,10 / 9,10,13 - cost is $48 to $1
BIG 6 (races 2 to 7)
3 / 2,4,6 / 2,4,12 / 3,4,8 / 4,10 / 9,13 - cost is $108 to $1
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