WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON CUP DAY

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, July 14, 2022

The Grafton Racing Carnival continues – feature race today is SOUTHSIDE PHARMACY GRAFTON CUP with the track rated “slow” and the rail is in the TRUE position. We are looking at fine winter weather in the lead up to the race. The track seemed to level out across Ramornie day – some horses made some ground late.

The story of Ramornie was Tom Sherry making his way to Grafton for the first time and claiming the two feature races - the 2022 GDSC Ramornie aboard Ranges and the TURSA Grafton Guineas aboard Aramis.

But now it is CUP DAY – time to get amongst the winners – we had a great day yesterday!

NB: As these selections were made prior to final scratchings please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.
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Race 1

We start the day off with a sprint race over 1000 metres.

Baiyka (11) is trained by Aiden St Vincent and Hugh Bowman will ride, resuming here from a 9-week spell after a win at Taree on a heavy track. Has an impressive first up record – drawn well should jump and sit in behind the speed and get the job done.

Tango Stepz (10) is a last start winner at Scone for Rodney Northam – Aaron Bullock will ride. Just concerned here as this runner normally races midfield. With the pattern of racing over the past few days, he may need luck.

Inwithachance (7) enjoys wet tracks and won first up at Coffs Harbour over 1006 metres. Has had a five week freshen up and could sprint well again here – Ashley Morgan will ride.

In A Step (5), trained by Peter Graham, has had a three week freshen up – Rachel King will ride. Could show up.

Star Magnum is trained by Matthew Dunn has solid form on wet tracks. Matt McGuren will ride. Keep safe.

Not a race that I really can get excited about.

Selections:

11 – Baiyka
10 – Tango Stepz
7 – Inwithachance
5 – In A Step
Rough chance – (6) Star Magnum

Race 2 THE BIG MAIDEN

A maiden over 1175 metres. $21,000 to the winner – there will be several horses set for this race!

Matthew Dunn is well represented here. I like one that may get a run – she is an emergency – Costa De Oro (16) – who is second up here after resuming at Gosford racing on the speed and tiring late. I think she will take benefit from that run and looks well placed here. Will need luck to get into the field – and then some luck from barrier 13.

Daedalus (12), to be ridden by Ashley Morgan, resumed at Murwillumbah and was supported in the betting. He was slowly away on that occasion and then had to be ridden for luck and was caught three wide at some point in the running. Despite this he still finished off the race strongly and looks like he will a strip fitter for that effort.

Aquarius (7) may be an omen tip – the track is wet, and it is the water sign! Matt McGuren rode this filly first up on her home track where she blew markedly in the markets. She still seemed to finish off the race strongly and was beaten by a good one on the day. She is drawn nicely here and will be extremely competitive.

Jac’s Legacy (9), trained by Tony Newing, was heavily backed last start at Dubbo and raced on the speed before finishing a solid second. Newing did get a winner on Sunday and his team normally fire when they come to Grafton. Ben Looker is on this gelding, and they are betting ridiculous odds, for mine, at $21 – these are great each way odds.

Flying Deputy (2) from the Edmonds Racing team on the Gold Coast has been heavily supported since markets opened. Led them up in a midweek race at Doomben first up and weakened late – will be better for that effort.

Selections:

16 – Costa De Oro
12 – Daedalus
9 – Jac’s Legacy
7 – Aquarius
Rough chance – (2) Flying Deputy & (3) Baronial & (5) Taking The Mikki

Race 3

Class 1 over 1400 metres – a massive field assembled.

I like the Kristen Buchanan trained Bullet Wing (2) – hopefully, the gelding can grow wings and go like a bullet to the line and post a win at around $15 with Tommy Berry to ride. He won on debut on his home track at Wyong over 1350 meters before heading to Sydney at Rosehill and striking a heavy track. ‘Heavy’ is generous. It was a bottomless track that he did not endure - that was also second up and sometimes these runners do not perform second up. He comes to Grafton fresh and from that effort and I expect him to run boldly here.

Karaoke King (7) is trained by Matthew Smith at Warwick Farm - Blake Spriggs will ride. He was sent out a short-priced favorite last start at Taree when beaten by less than one length. The form has been franked as the runner who finished third in that race, Claptone, come out and won the last race impressively at Grafton on Sunday. With that in mind he certainly should be not underestimated here in this field.

Lisztomania (3) is trained at Coffs Harbour Aidan St. Vincent. He last raced three weeks ago at Randwick in a highway Class 2 event where he was a gallant second over this distance. He is only lightly raced with six starts and all have been exceptionally good. I think that we should not overlook this runner. Aaron Bullock will ride.

Don’t Forget Dad (16) is now trained at Taree by Mark Stewart after coming from Victoria. He debuted on his home track with a striking victory on heavy going over 1257 metres. He is down in the weights and if he gets into the field may be hard to beat.

Kokoro (9) is the early market favourite from the John O'Shea stables. Did not really show much for mine in a recent barrier trial, however Hugh Bowman has been booked to ride this gelding first up. There has been some solid money for this runner since the markets have opened, so you should respect the money trail that has occurred and not overlook the chances of this runner.

There is a raft of other horses that must rate a mention and they all very long priced and could upset these more fancied runners - these are in my selections below. Keep your eye on the market in case any of these are supported as all of them have solid wet track form and could turn up here and perform well.

Selections:

2 – Bullet Wing
7 – Karaoke King
16 – Don’t Forget Dad
9 - Kokoro
Rough chances – (15) Maurices Star & (14) Squeeze Dis

Race 4 THE MOTHER’S GIFT

A great fillies and mares race over 1400 metres.

Tara Jasmine (2) has returned to the John Shelton stables after a stint in QLD. She is undefeated on this track – six starts for six wins. Blinkers go on – tongue tie off - and Ben Looker will ride. She commands respect with a record on this circuit, but I am concerned with her running out 1400 metres.

Oakfield Arrow (6) is trained by Damien Lane and is second up here. The mare has an exciting record second up and this race is right up her alley. She loves this distance, she loves wet tracks, and her second up record suggests that she will be extremely hard to beat at the ridiculous odds of $14. Ashley Morgan will ride.

Glamour Fox (4) is trained by Clare Cunningham and Jason Collett will ride. She has been racing over a mile in recent starts without much luck. I think that coming back to the 1400 meters will make her extremely competitive here. The track needs to be in the slow range for her to be competitive and hopefully there will be no leaders bias as she does settle and then make her run late.

Soffika (5) is an overseas runner making her debut in Australia for the Richard & Will Freedman stables and Rachel King will ride. She has been trialling extremely well since arriving in Australia and I expect her to run a bold race in this class. She looks ideally placed and is certain to be hard to beat. There has been a constant flow of money for this runner since the markets open. She was posted at $13 she is now into $6.50, and that market move must be respected.

Rivabrook (10) won last time out at Newcastle on a heavy track. Con Karakatsanis has had a great winning record at the Grafton carnivals over many years. This is his only runner this year so he will be looking to post a win and take away this trophy – Andrew Adkins will ride.

Selections:

6 – Oakfield Arrow
4 – Glamour Fox
5 – Soffika
10 – Rivabrook
Rough chance – (2) Tara Jasmine

Race 5 NBN SPRINGBOARD TO FAME – 2-YEAR-OLD RUNNERS

First leg of the Quaddie. I love this race every year. So many trainers set their horses for a good old Grafton betting plunge – some come off – whilst others do not!

I like the Damien Lane trained Deep Opinions (9) who made a dramatic burst onto the scene with a dominant win first up at Coonamble. She won in good time with good sectionals over the 1200 metres. That came on the back of an impressive trial win at Gosford on a heavy track. Ashley Morgan will ride the filly in this race, and I expect, with all the speed in the race, that she will just sit him behind the speed and then bury them late in the straight. With $10 on offer – I will be snapping up them odds as I think she can go right on with it here.

Dwayne Schmidt holds the key to a local winner with Durnstein (1) who won on the first day of the Carnival on a heavy track. He led all the way and defeated My Mate Cobbler (8) on that occasion. Ben Looker retains the ride here and there will be lots of cheering from the Grafton crowd if he can win again. I just have some concerns with him running out a strong 1200 metres.

My Mate Cobbler (8) has had a gear change with the blinkers coming off for this run. He chased home hard last time and gives me the impression that the extra distance really will suit him. Luke Rolls will ride.

No Retreat (11) is from the strong Edmonds Racing stables on the Gold Coast. Won first up when unwanted in the market – posting a win at $21. There were some smart punters who landed as much as $61 prior to the filly winning on debut. Robbie Fradd will ride her again. She has drawn awkwardly in barrier 13 – he may have to go back and ride her for luck. There seems to be serious speed in this race.

I can make a case for two other runners – Mr Tabasco (7) and Fashion Legend (3).

Selections:

9 – Deep Opinions
1 – Durnstein
11 – No Retreat
3 – Fashion Legend
Rough chance – (7) Mr Tabasco & (8) My Mate Cobber

Race 6

Class 6 Plate over 1175 metres. First leg of the treble.

This is an open field.

I have gone with rough chances here. Boncassie (15), trained by Brett Bellamy, has had a nine week freshen up after winning at Taree. Raymond Spokes will ride the filly and I just think she may get conditions to suit here at a huge price of $8.

The other one I like is Lucky Sham (16) trained by Neil Godbolt with Rachel King aboard. She seems to thrive on wet tracks and has had a freshen up since her last start at Port Macquarie where she ran an average race on paper. There were excuses for her that day – forgive that run and go on her previous starts that include a Highway Class 3 win at Randwick when she sat in behind them and surged late. I give her a tremendous each way chance.

Tuscan Valley (8) is certainly the one to beat - looking to post five consecutive wins over a similar distance. She is owned and bred by Gerry Harvey and trained by Stephen Jones – Chris Williams (apprentice) has ridden her to her past two victories. Despite drawing wide here she is a genuine chance and if she can see out the extra distance of this race, she will be winning this race easily. I just thought the other runners that I have selected a little bit more value.

Parksville (9) resumes from a 15-week spell. He is trained by Brett Dodson. Apprentice Jasper Franklin takes the ride here. He performed very well in a recent barrier trial where he won the trial easily with Jasper in the saddle. He has never won first up and that may be a problem, however there has been support in the early market for this runner since the prices have been posted I would suggest that the weight of money might mean she has impressed the stable and will be ready to run a bold race first up.

Despite the huge weight do not overlook the topweight here Aheadofhistime (1) who resumes after a nine week freshen up. He always races well fresh and has drawn well to sit in behind the speed with Jeff Penza to ride.

Selections:

15 – Boncassie
16 – Lucky Sham
8 – Tuscan Valley
9 – Parksville
Rough chance – (1) Aheadofhistime

Race 7 SOUTHSIDE PHARMACY GRAFTON CUP

The feature distance race of the Carnival over 2350 metres.

Rebel Rama (8) is trained by Marc Conners and will be ridden by Tommy Berry again. Last start out at Eagle Farm she dictated terms in front and was strong to the line over 2150 metres. She was allowed to get away with some slow sectionals and was able to hold the challengers off late. She leads here again – just think that she may be pressured at some point and may struggle late, but in saying that she does have a solid win on the board going into the race and Tommy will be riding at 54 kilograms.

Youth Spirit (5) is trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. They are looking for another feature Cup win over the Grafton Cup Carnival after they won the South Grafton Cup on Sunday. This runner is only second up for the new stable – however, his first up run in the McKell Cup at Rosehill last time out was solid enough to suggest he will be competitive here. He was looking for a run late – that did not arise – it was a solid hit out for a race like this. He boasts two wins from two starts second up as well. Jean Van Overmeire will ride him for the first time.

Smart Meteor (4) is the Ipswich Cup winner from Chris Munce Racing – Munce has won this race back in 2018 with First Crush. He was exceptionally good at Ipswich on a track that was heavy, motoring home late on a day when others struggled to make ground. If the track gets any rain, he is the one to be on here.

Ciaron Maher & David Eustace train Dr Drill (2) who is the early market favourite. Keagan Latham will ride him again after a solid run in the McKell Cup last time out. He ran a great second and looks he is looking for this trip now. Despite the weight he gets in well and will race handy.

Arapaho (6) is a Bjorn Baker Racing runner with Rachel King in the saddle. He was solid last time out in the Sunshine Coast when he ran second. He needs the track to be in the slow range to be competitive.

Alakahan (7) also went around in the Sunshine Coast Cup – he did not manage the heavy conditions. If there is no rain and the track gets back into soft – like a soft side closer to good - keep this runner in mind. He needs a firm surface to show his best – local jockey Andrew Adkins would be keen to claim a hometown Cup.

Selections:

5 – Youth Spirit
8 – Rebel Rama
4 – Smart Meteor
2 – Dr Drill
Rough chance – (6) Arapaho & (7) Alakahan

Race 8

The last race of the day over 1000 metres – the time-honoured KIRBY.

Ice In Vancouver (8) resumed at Gunnedah six weeks ago and got the job done leading and winning in a solid time. Trained by Cody Morgan and to be ridden by Rachel King, he looks the one to beat in this final race. One thing I do have concerns about is that he may be a sitting duck late for any runners coming home. They have a habit of swooping home and winning in this race.

Jenny Graham trains Schiller Bay (15) and this lightly raced gelding fits that bill. Look for this runner to sit off the speed and then thunder home late, probably along the rails, with Ashley Morgan to ride. He is undefeated at Grafton racing here twice for two wins, both over the 1000 metres. He ticks so many boxes here and looks excellent value at around the $10 mark.

Sue Grills has Burning Crown (3) resuming after a 92-week spell. He has had two solid barrier trials in preparation for this run and was to run in the Carlton Cup earlier in the carnival however this race was abandoned due to the track conditions. It is not often that Grills goes away from this carnival without a win. She has a genuine chance here and she has won this race previously. Jean Van Overmeire will ride him and will give him every opportunity to win.

Stoical (4) from the Snowden Racing team was disappointing last time out at Eagle Farm. Tommy Berry will ride the gelding here and I expect him to be competitive. it is not often you would get $15 about a Snowden horse in these country settings, and I expect Snowden to have it ready to run a bold race. He has had a five week freshen up since his last start and always races well fresh. If the track gets downgraded if the rain comes across the day, he certainly must be respected

Selections:

8 – Ice In Vancouver
15 – Schiller Bay
3 – Burning Crown
4 – Stoical
Rough chances – (5) Cardiff
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Jockeys’ Challenge

There are several that have chances here. Ashley Morgan, Tommy Berry, and Rachel King. I will stay with Ash to get a victory on a tough day.

Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

5,6,7,10,11 / 2,7,9,12,16 / 2,7,9,16/ 4,5,6,10 - cost is $400 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

7,10,11 / 9,12,16 / 2,7 / 4,5,6 - cost is $54 to $1

Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

1,8,9,11 / 1,8,9,15,16 / 2,4,5,8 / 3,4,8,15 - cost is $320 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

1,9,11 / 8,15,16 / 5,8 / 8,15 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

1,8,9,15,16 / 2,4,5,8 / 3,4,8,15 - cost is $80 to $1

BIG 6 (races 3 to 8 NSW only)

2,7 / 4,5,6 / 1,9,11 / 8,15,16 / 5,8 / 8,15 - cost is $216 to $1

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