WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON, JULY 4, 2021

By Darren Winningham | Saturday, July 3, 2021

GRAFTON RACES – SUNDAY 4 JULY 2021

We head to GRAFTON for the second day of the 2021 GRAFTON CARNIVAL It is the traditional GRAFTON TOYOTA SOUTH GRAFTON CUP Day. The track is rated “HEAVY” and the rail is out 2 metres for the entire circuit.

The Club has had no luck with the weather with the rain setting in. Hopefully – some warmer weather will come in the lead up to the feature race days in midweek – the RAMORNIE and the GRAFTON CUP.

Hopefully, I will see you all at the Calcutta at the Grafton District Services Club in Tuesday evening. Then we will be all set for a massive Ramornie Day on Wednesday!

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

This will be a slugfest over the 2217 metres on a heavy track.

Michael Costa trains Hudoo Vudoo (7) with an important gear change with the tongue tie going on. Maybe this will make a change to his chances after he did not seem to race generously at Coffs Harbour last start. Andrew Mallyon will ride for the team.

I like the chances of one down in the weights here Dunlee (12) from the Damian Lane stables. Despite being a maiden, he gives me the impression that he is looking for this distance. He will not be bothered by a wet track.

Oakfield Blackhawk (8) failed last time out on a heavy track – I will just forgive that run and hope for an improved effort here.

Selections:

12 – Dunlee
7 – Hudoo Vudoo
8 – Oakfield Blackhawk
9 – Rizzoli
Rough chance – (3) Jet Pilot

Race 2

This is a tough maiden race. On day one of the carnival leaders seemed to have an advantage – maybe this could be the key to this race.

Brave Warrior (2) is trained by Maryann Brosnan and will be ridden by stable apprentice Jaden Lloyd. Has been trialling well – just have some concerns first up on a heavy track.

Mooki Beauty (7) is trained by Tamworth trainer Sue Grills. She knows how to find a winner over the Grafton Carnival. This filly is having her third career start and was solid last time out at Quirindi. She seems to race midfield and then work home late. Apprentice Casey Waddell will ride, and the claim will be of benefit here.

Taikun Tommy (16) is trained here by Cathy Chapman and recently won a barrier trial here – could be one to get the locals cheering if he can get the chocolates for the stable.

Kohinoor Lustre (9) is a Tony Newing runner – had a debut run here four weeks ago. She looks like a nice type. Has drawn wide but it will not surprise to see this runner being in the finish if she takes her place in the field.

Selections:

7 – Mooki Beauty
16 – Taikun Tommy
2 – Brave Warrior
9 – Kohinoor Lustre
Rough chance – (12) Flora

Race 3

A Class 1 over 1005 metres.

Brosnan and Lloyd combine again here with Lucky Enuff (3) who won 6 weeks ago on a heavy track at Coffs Harbour. Since then, a solid barrier trial would suggest that he will sprint well here first up. He will race handy as well – looks nicely placed.

Sacred Zim (1), also trained on the Gold Coast by Edmonds Racing. Is third up here on the heavy track. Has drawn wide so Andrew Mallyon will need some luck from out there. However, if they go fast in front here and they can make ground I think he will be swooping down the outside late.

Golden Fantasy (9) has been up a while this preparation. Probably has the best wet weather form of all the runners in this race. Is trained by Margaret De Gonneville and will be ridden by John Kehoe.

Bel Academy (5) resumes here with a heap of gear changes – has raced well fresh and does love wet tracks as well. Is trained by Brad Munro and Darryl McLellan will ride him first up here.

Selections:

3 – Lucky Enuff
1 – Sacred Zim
9 – Golden Fantasy
5 – Bel Academy
Rough chance – (14) Manapouri Miss

Race 4

Tough way to end the early Quaddie and to start the main Quaddie.

I like the local runner here Franklin Corners (5) – if he takes his place in the field. Forget the last effort at Lismore where he got too far out of his ground and had no luck in the straight. The run prior to that he won here over 1200 metres. Has won on wet tracks as well.

Camp Rifle (2) is trained by Tony Newing – can he fire a shot here and get his first winner of the Carnival? Matthew McGuren will ride for the stable. Is third up here and has done well on heavy tracks.

Auntie Monnie (3) is another Sue Grills runner. Never got into the race last start over 1210 metres last time out at Gunnedah – the extra distance will suit here. Keep safe.

Our Girl Eve (8) is one that should be respected. A last start winner at the track and distance 3 weeks ago – no disclosed form on wet tracks, however, I think is bred to be strong and get further.

Selections:

5 – Franklin Corners
2 – Camp Rifle
3 – Auntie Monnie
8 – Our Girl Eve

Race 5

An open affair this – a maiden plate over 1408 metres.

I’ve gone for one at huge odds here - $41 in some markets - trained by Matthew Dunn Racing and to be ridden by Matthew McGuren – Meika Gold (16). Last start at Lismore over 1200 metres she settled at the rear of the field and seemed to be doing her best work late over 1210 metres. She drops in the weights and the run was on a soft track last time out. I just think on this bigger Grafton track she may be a good chance at massive odds to cause an upset.

Bladnoch (1) was second up last start at Coffs Harbour over 1400 metres. I am prepared to say that he might have needed the run after a strong second at Port Macquarie when he resumed over 1200 metres. He is trained by Greg Middleton and Luke “Sausage” Rolls will ride him again here.

Mikado (9) resumes here after a recent barrier trial on the track – keep safe. Trained by Joanne Hardy and will be ridden by Jon Grisedale.

Field Regiment (5) is having his third career start for Stephen Lee here. Andrew Mallyon aboard for the stable. He has shown his likes to race handy in his first two career starts – maybe a runner who can improve.

Selections:

16 – Meika Gold
1 – Bladnoch
9 – Mikado
5 – Field Regiment
Rough chance – (12) Asserting

Race 6 GRAFTON TOYOTA SOUTH GRAFTON CUP

The feature race on the program over 1608 metres. A very open race with $6 the field on offer here.

Jazzland (1) won this race last year for trainer Kristen Buchanan and jockey Koby Jennings. He hasn’t been racing that well of late but seems to improve each time he comes to Grafton.

I suppose the best two wet trackers in the race are Zigallene (5) and Texas Storm (12).

Zigallene (5) is trained on the Gold Coast by Harold Norman and will be ridden by Rikki Palmer. I think that, from the wide barrier, she will work up and sit second or third in the running and, if there is any bias for leaders, will be strong at the end of the mile.

Texas Storm (12) is a Bob Milligan trained runner with Ashley Morgan to ride. This runner dropped back from the mile to 1450 metres last start and was working home nicely. Drops in weight here for this assignment and will relish the heavy track.

Hit The Target (2) … well, can trainer Stephen Jones hit a bullseye with his runner? Leah Kilner will ride him. He will probably lead this lot from barrier 1 with the big weight. Did win the Parkes Cup two starts ago over the mile. Then last start dropped back to 1300 metres at Newcastle. Was swamped late with a massive 63.5 kilograms. Looks well placed here.

Madalong Tapit (9) from the Sue Grills yards in Tamworth ran a gallant race in the Gunnedah Cup last time out when collared on the post. Was well supported from huge odds last time – maybe they can get the cash here.

I would strongly advise to watch any race-day market moves in this race.

Selections:

5 – Zigallene
12 – Texas Storm
2 – Hit The Target
1 – Jazzland
Rough chance – (9) Madalong Tapit

Race 7

The last race of the day is over 1608 metres.

Okay I had better start with acknowledging the trainer of Unleash The Red (7) – Ethan Ensby. I always look forward to seeing him over the Carnival each year – his $5 K-Mart sunglasses are always a point of conversation! He does have a genuine chance here with this runner – a strong record at Grafton with 3 wins and 3 placings from 9 starts at the track. Dramatically down in weight here – maybe each way chance. Nori Masuda will ride.

I like the chances of the Kristen Buchanan trained Lasting Grace (10) to show some improvement here back on a heavy track. Will be partnered by Koby Jennings and should benefit from the wet track and the mile.

The locals will be cheering for the John Shelton trained Arlington Valley (15) to post a win for them. This runner is second up here after resuming over 1430 metres and flying home last start. This runner will strip fitter for that effort and will be ridden by Raymond Spokes. Will enjoy the longer distance and I expect will be finishing off the race strong at the end.

Ausbred Cooee (3) won his maiden last time out at Coffs Harbour for trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith. Jon Grisedale won on him last start and remains aboard. He will have no trouble with the extra distance.

Selections:

10 – Lasting Grace
15 – Arlington Valley
3 – Ausbred Cooee
7 – Unleash The Red
Rough chances – (9) Atomic Bomb
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Jockey’s Challenge

I think this will be an open affair – I am going for Matthew McGuren.

Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

7,12 / 2,7,9,16 / 1,3,5,9 /2,3,5,8 - cost is $128 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

7,12 / 2,7,16 / 1,3,9 / 2,3,5 - cost is $54 to $1

Quaddie (races 4 to 7)

2,3,5,8 / 1,5,9,16 / 1,2,5,12 / 3,10,15 - cost is $192 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 4 to 7)

2,3,5 / 1,9,16 / 2,5,12 / 3,10,15 - cost is $81 to $1

Treble (races 5 to 7)

1,5,9,16 / 1,2,5,12 / 3,10,15 - cost is $48 to $1

BIG 6 (races 2 to 7)

7,12 / 7,16 / 1,3 / 2,3,5 / 1,9,16 / 2,5,12 / 10,15 - cost is $432 to $1

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