WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON JULY 8, GRAFTON CUP DAY

By Darren Winningham | Wednesday, July 7, 2021

GRAFTON RACES – THURSDAY JULY 8, 2021

GRAFTON CUP DAY

GRAFTON … for the fourth day of the 2021 GRAFTON CARNIVAL. It is the traditional GRAFTON CUP day – sponsored by the Maclean Hotel in 2021 – where the track is rated “SOFT” and the rail is true for the entire circuit.

The Brisbane Winter Carnival form was franked yet again in the RAMORNIE with the win of the John O’Shea trained Southern Lad, who was ridden by Christian Reith, fought of the Gold Coast trained Phobetor in a two-horse war down the straight. This was Southern Lad’s first win for over 500 days, but he has been racing against top company in Group and Listed races for most of his career.

Here we go CUP DAY 2021.

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.
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Race 1

Tough way to open Cup Day with a 1000 metre sprint.

Standing Bear (11), trained by Tony Ball, resumes here from a 16 week spell. I’m just going on the fact that he normally races well fresh and close to the speed. Has the services of Reece Jones as well and will be nice odds.

Freyas Cloak (4) resumed with a great win at Ipswich – Stephanie Thornton rode her on that occasion. She then went to the Gold Coast where everything went wrong, but that was at Class 6 level. Forget that run. This is the runner who won the Two-Year-Old race on this day 12 months ago for Stephen Lee Racing when she sped to the front and gave nothing else a chance. She has a huge weight, but maybe she can repeat the dose here this weekend.

In A Step (5) is trained by Brett Dodson and will be ridden by Jasper Franklin who will claim his 4kg allowance. She has been racing in Open sprints of late and comes back in grade – will speed along near the lead.

Phoenix River (3) has a massive weight for trainer Fleur Blanch. Anthony Allen will ride him again after he rode him last start at Doomben in a midweek race where he worked home nicely.

Selections:

11 – Standing Bear
4 – Freyas Cloak
5 – In A Step
3 – Phoenix River
Rough chance – (7) Wallace Street

Race 2

A Class 1 contest over 1400 metres.

La Cronica (10) is trained by Shannon Manwarring and will be ridden by Ben Looker. Her only career win has been at this track and distance – I think that she put the writing on the wall last time out here over 1200 metres. Has had three weeks between runs and looks a safe way home. The only issue is that this runner does race midfield normally – she may need to go forward a little if there is any track bias.

Four Egos (5) led them up in the Grafton Guineas Prelude and was run down late. That was his second run this time in – maybe just needed the run and I expect that this Ross Stitt runner will strip fitter for that solid hit out and will be extremely competitive in this race. Ashley Morgan will ride again.

Edification (3), trained on the Gold Coast by Maryann Brosnan, ran over 1590 metres last start at Ballina. Stormed home late and just missed out running a gallant second. Jaden Lloyd takes over from his brother Zac for this race – I think dropping back in distance and with a win previously at this track and distance, he gets into the race nicely.

Tuscan Leather (1) had no luck in the running last time out here over 1215 metres. The stable has gone with a senior rider in Christian Reith to get him home – do not overlook.

A rough chance to Readily Rewarded (12).

Selections:

5 – Four Egos
10 – La Cronica
3 – Edification
1 – Tuscan Leather
Rough chances – (10) La Cronica (12) Readily Rewarded

Race 3

Think Free (2) will be ridden again by Aaron Bullock for Kris Lees Racing after she won the Wauchope Cup last time out. Has a superb record on soft tracks with five wins from nine starts. Will have no trouble here getting around this Grafton track and will race close to the speed.

Willo Titto (3) is trained on the Gold Coast by Michael Costa. This runner looks, on paper at least, to be the likely leader and despite the huge odds-on offer – as much at $26 - I think she may be able to set up a good tempo and control the race with Ben Thompson to ride. She is first up here after an eight week freshen up – but her recent barrier trial would suggest that she is ready to go and may be difficult to beat here. She does have an impressive record fresh.

Trent & Toby Edmonds train Hard Labour (6) on the Gold Coast as well. Has had a six week freshen up and the addition of the blinkers – looks very hard to beat. She had a solid hit out as well in a trial on 22 June – Andrew Mallyon will ride for the stable.

Oakfield Missile (1) is trained by Damien Lane and will be ridden by Darryl McClellan. Despite a massive weight she comes off a solid effort last start at Rosehill which is great form for this race.

Selections:

2 – Think Free
3 – Willo Titto
6 – Hard Labour
1 – Oakfield Missile
Rough chance – (4) Zac Attack & (10) Zoukina

Race 4 NBN Springboard to Fame

The traditional two-year-old feature race of the Carnival – a solid field in 2021.

Kacy Fogden trains Derani (3) with local jockey and ranga Matthew Bennett to ride for her. This runner turned in a solid effort last time out in a strong form race at Ipswich over 1350 metres. Has seen a heavy track and will race on the speed. I think the drop back in distance will see him be very strong at the line.

Buck Pharoah (2) is a Neil Godbolt trained gelding who has won his past two starts – both on heavy tracks. He will have no trouble here - has drawn wide and has the services of apprentice Reece Jones who is riding in tremendous form. Has drawn a little awkwardly in barrier 12 – but I think he will be not troubled as they usually go fast in this race.

Offyarocatwo (8) won here on Day 1 of the Carnival for Peter Graham (who won the Grafton Cup in 2016 riding Rednav for Sally Taylor). He will be looking to train a winner on Cup Day with Kirk Matheson to retain the ride. This runner has drawn wide in barrier 15 but I think he will get a cosy run in behind the speed and finish off strong like he did the other week.

A runner at some value that I would be considering is Wanjina Rose (14) who is trained by Brad Munro and will be ridden by Raymond Spokes. She was finishing the race off nicely in the race won by Offyarocatwo (8) and could be the improver.

Feirme Prince (7), a Matthew Dunn Racing trained gelding, is only having his third career start but do not overlook.

Waltz (13) is trained by Edmonds Racing on the Gold Coast and comes to the big dance looking to win her second career start – Zac Lloyd will be looking for a feature race win for his boss here – she gives him a nice chance to win a feature race over the Carnival.

Selections:

3 – Derani
2 – Buck Pharoah
8 – Offyarocatwo
14 – Wanjina Rose
Rough chances – (7) Feirme Prince (13) Waltz

Race 5

The first leg of the Quaddie

The BIG MAIDEN.

Let us start with the two brothers riding in the race - Zac Lloyd on Chaperone (3) a first starter for Edmonds Racing … and Jaden Lloyd who rides I Am A Beauty (8) for his boss Maryann Brosnan. If they win the race and run a placing, I will hate to be dad – Jeff Lloyd - driving them back home to the Gold Coast – it will be a great stir I bet!

Chaperone (3) has had three trials in preparation for the race whilst I Am A Beauty (8) has had two trials – ironically the first trial he was beaten by Chaperone (3). The Brosnan trained runner has solid form on wet tracks – drawn the rails and could push forward – must be respected.

I think outside of this scenario it could be a blow out result for punters, but I doI like some roughies to feature strongly.

Fromthenevernever (4) is trained by Aiden Nunn and is to be ridden by Luke Rolls. Led them up last start at Lismore and just got run down late over 1210 metres. Is third up this preparation and I just think he is solid each way odds at $21.

Amber Deluxe (5) is trained by Brett Dodson and will be ridden by Matthew Bennett. Has his third career start here and was very strong in his last race at Coffs Harbour over 1000 metres where he just missed reeling in the winner. That effort is good enough for this race.

Inari Fox (2), trained by Stephen Lee, did run a nice race at Murwillumbah last time out – running a good second. Alysha Collett will ride here.

Selections:

4 – Fromthenevernever
5 – Amber Deluxe
2 – Inari Fox
8 – I Am A Beauty
Rough chance - (15) Ambridge

Race 6

Ice In Vancouver (10) is one of the shortest prices favourites over the Carnival – he istrained by Cody Morgan and will be ridden by Andrew Mallyon. This gelding won first up at Tamworth before having little luck in the running last time out at Randwick. The blinkers go on for this start and back to an easier race he does looks the one to beat on paper. I think that they will probably take a sit on the likely leader Northern Wilderose (15).

Now thinking about that likely leader Northern Wilderose (15) - who will jump and run – she resumes after a 9 week freshen up. She always races well fresh and may be hard to run down at a massive price. Raymond Spokes knows her well and has been booked for the ride.

Unpredicted (12) is trained by Rodney Northam and will be ridden again by Reece Jones. This gelding has won his past two starts and looks the likely runner to cause a serious issue to this short-priced favourite. He has drawn the rails – probably will jump and run and take a sit behind the speed.

Banjo’s Voice (2) is trained by Donna Grisedale and will be ridden by her husband Jon Grisedale. Does like a wet track and has performed well in the past – each way chance for mine.

Selections:

10 – Ice In Vancouver
12 – Unpredicted
15 – Northern Wilderose
2 – Banjo’s Voice
Rough chances – (7) See It Thru

Race 7

The feature race – THE 2021 MACLEAN HOTEL GRAFTON CUP.

Michael Costa trains Purrfect Deal (10) who won the Prelude here two weeks ago with a massive weight. If she runs up to that effort, I think she will be very difficult to beat here. It would also be the first win for Ben Thompson in the Grafton Cup – he has been in awesome form across the Brisbane Winter Carnival and comes to Grafton with a nice book for rides.

His partner Stephanie Thornton may have something to say as well about winning her first Grafton Cup when she rides Happy Go Plucky (4), who raced on the speed in the Ipswich Cup and won the race well. He does go up in the weights for that effort but looks a genuine winning chance with this runner sure to be placed on the speed throughout.

If one of them dies win, I suppose whoever loses can always drive back home to Brisbane whilst the other waves the Grafton Cup around in the car!

The real talk around town is can trainer John O’Shea train the RAMORNIE – GRAFTON CUP feature double, a feat that has not been achieved in over 50 years, with his runner Berdibek (6) who will be ridden by Alysha Collett. He did run a great second to Stockman (who was the favourite for the Caloundra Cup before it was postponed last saturday) two starts ago. A repeat of that effort could see him salute – there has been a deluge of money for this runner since Southern Lad won the Ramornie on Wednesday. The runner was also well supported at the Grafton District Services Club (GDSC) Calcutta held on Wednesday night. Where there is smoke – there is usually fire!

I have always had Windemere (11) as my Cup pick for a few weeks. She thrives on wet tracks, and I thought her effort last time out at Eagle Farm topped her off nicely for this race – she is well placed by Murwillumbah trainer Edward O’Rourke. They have put local jockey Ben Looker on this runner. Looker rode his first hometown Cup winner in 2019 on the Tony Pike trained Sacred Day and he gets a genuine chance to ride his second Cup winner here

Bjorn Baker has two runners – Spencer (13) and Parry Sound (7). They both have genuine chances. Parry Sound (7) worked home well three weeks ago on a heavy track at Rosehill in the McKell Cup while Spencer (13) went around last Saturday at Rosehill over 2400 metres on a heavy track – led all the way and was dominant. The quick back up is my only concern, however, if they are leading and winning coming into this race one thing for certain is that he will be out in front and Christian Reith will ensure they have something to chase.

Laure Me In (4) is trained by Matthew Dunn Racing (4) and Jim Byrne takes the ride. Last time out he worked home well in the Ipswich Cup – not sure if the track and the way the race was run suited him on that occasion.

Humbolt Current (8) was well backed in the Ipswich Cup and faded late. Forget the run – the track and a few other things were against him for mine. That was his first run after a 6 week freshen up. He is well weighted here in this race and does like wet tracks – Jeff Penza is in the saddle for Chris Waller Racing and both of them will be looking for their first Grafton Cup winner.

Selections:

10 – Purrfect Deal
11 – Windemere
8 – Humbolt Current
4 – Laure Me In
Rough chances – (3) Happy Go Plucky (7) Parry Sound (13) Spencer (6) Berdibek

Race 8

The last race of Cup Day – the traditional sprint – THE KIRBY – where they go like scalded cats here.

Sue Grills trained the winner of this race in 2019 and returns to attempt to win the race again with that runner Attila (6) who will be ridden by Ashley Morgan. Grills did train a winner on Sunday and was unluckily beaten in a photo finish in another race – she knows what it takes to get a horse to win on this track Carnival time. This runner did win the Coonamble Cannonball last time out – he is best ridden cold in behind the speed and then he can unleash such a powerful run – if they can win from not too far back this runner gets his chance to win this race twice!

Remlaps Gem (4), trained by Scott Singleton, won last time out on a soft track at Scone with some good sectionals carrying a large weight. He led on that occasion and was too strong for the opposition. Christian Reith will need some luck from barrier 12 – he may be left exposed late – just a small concern that a swooper may catch him out.

Jule’s Spirit (3) is trained on the track by John Shelton and will be ridden by Luke Rolls. He won last time out at Kempsey and has had three weeks since that run – he is only lightly raced and does love his home track. Has drawn well in barrier 1 and always races in behind the speed and will get cover here – will be chasing solidly lately.

Pearl Roan (12) is trained by Steve Hodge and will be ridden by Andrew Gibbons. This mare likes wet tracks – could cause an upset here in the last race.

Selections:

4 – Remlaps Gem
3 – Jule’s Spirit
6 – Attila
12 – Pearl Roan
Rough chance – (9) Lord Tony
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Jockey’s Challenge

Ben Thompson, Reece Jones and Andrew Mallyon all have good chances. I think I will punt on the young bloke - Reece Jones - to get the job done!

Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

3,4,5,11 / 1,3,5,10 / 1,2,3,6 / 2,3,8,14 - cost is $256 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

4,11 / 3.5,10 / 2,3,6 / 2,3 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

2,4,5,8 / 2,10,12,15 / 4,6,8,10,11 / 3,4,6 - cost is $240 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

4,5 / 10,12 / 6,10,11 / 3,4 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

2,10,12,15 / 4,6,8,10,11 / 3,4,6 - cost is $60 to $1

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