WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON, JULY 14, 2024
By Darren Winningham | Saturday, July 13, 2024
This weekend we head to GRAFTON for the second day of the 2024 GRAFTON CARNIVAL. It is the traditional GRAFTON TOYOTA SOUTH GRAFTON CUP Day this weekend with the 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 over the Carnival.
There was a distinct advantage being on 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 1
A Class 1 race to start the day off over 1006 metres.
The leader will be Jewels Statement (1) trained by Samantha McGuren, ridden by Matthew Mc Guren. Solid efforts in recent starts when leading and being run down late. Gets the perfect draw in barrier 1. If he can control the speed in front, he could just gap them on the turn and win.
Laser Beam (4) is trained on the Gold Coast by Marcus Wilson and Jai Williams will ride. His form has been solid too prior to a 20-week spell. He comes to hand quickly and will be handy throughout the running. I think he is a genuine each way chance around the $8 on offer.
Exorealm (5) is trained by Kristen Buchanan and Taylor Marshall will ride. They combined to win the John Carlton Sprint last weekend. Can they post another Carnival win? Exorealm won his maiden on a heavy track at Taree at his last start. Will race handily behind the speed.
Cool Storm (7) is second up for Brett Dodson with Matthew “Ranga” Bennett in the saddle. Could improve here.
There is one here at $61 from the John Sprague stable – Aye Aye Skipper (6) who resumes here. He resumes from a 17-week spell – has performed well on wet tracks. No recent trial form – I am going on his previous starts prior to a spell. Danny Peisley will ride
Selections:
4 – Laser Beam
3 – Jewels Statement
5 – Exorealm
7 – Cool Storm
Rough chance – (6) Aye Aye Skipper
Race 2
This is a race over 1006 metres – Maiden grade – a massive field. The first leg of the BIG 6!
Paul Murray always brings a solid team every year to Grafton. He is represented by One Smart Cookie (6) who has blinkers going on here. Barrier 15 is not ideal; however, he normally jumps clean and races on the speed. Adrian Layt will ride. Last start led them up over 1200 metres at Sapphire Coast and was run down late. The shorter distance should be ideal – the gear change as well – look for a bold effort.
Cluster’s General (2) is trained by Brett Belamy with apprentice Courtney Bellamy riding and claiming 2 kilograms. Has drawn wide as well in barrier 14. Recent efforts have been on heavy tracks and have been solid. Will race close to the lead as well.
Reel Torque (4) is a first starter for Brett Bellamy. Won a trial here back in November 2023 – has not been seen since. Stephen Cummins will ride – solid support in the markets for this runner.
Ethan Ensby trains a two-year-old here who faces the starter for the first time. Rainbow Lass (12) has been trialling well and there has been some solid support for her since the markets have opened – keep safe.
Selections:
6 – One Smart Cookie
2 – Cluster’s General
4 – Reel Torque
12 – Rainbow Lass
Rough chance – (9) Miss Moov
Race 3
A Maiden over 1410 metres.
Murwillumbah based trainer Matthew Dunn has two genuine chances.
I like So You Can Torque (7) who will be ridden by Ash Morgan. First start at Lismore – got a little too far back over 1110 metres. Second up here, I think there is genuine improvement to come.
The stable mate is Rock Composer (4) with Matthew McGuren riding. Last start over 1200 metres was heavily backed and got caught on the wrong part of the track. Maybe forgive that run – genuine chance here.
Temple Of Good (12) is trained by Stephen Lee – is second up here. Resumed over 1200 metres – stepping up in distance will assist. Jett Stanley will ride the mare – I just think she may run a bold race.
Hezanuff (2) is trained by Chris Manson and has drawn barrier 1. Look for him to be ridden forward from the good barrier by Danny Peisley.
Friskee Frog (1) may just get the leap on the opposition if he takes his place in the field. Trained by Neil Osbourne - will lead the field.
Selections:
7 – So You Can Torque
4 – Rock Composer
12 – Temple Of Good
2 – Hezanuff
Rough chance – (1) Friskee Frog
Race 4
Tough way to end the early Quaddie with a Class 1 race over 2220 metres. This is also the first leg of the Quaddie with only seven races.
Pleadeel (11) comes out of the Listed grade race at Eagle Farm last start where she ran last. She is trained by Michael Morrison and Jackson ‘McLovin’ Murphy will ride. Interesting gear change with the tongue tie going on for this race. Her race prior to that was over 2200 metres at the Sunshine Coast where she raced handily and was run down late. I think that form line reads well for this runner and at $10 she is great each way.
Damien Lane trains Quinky Deel (8) with Ashley Morgan riding. Solid effort at Wyong over 2000 metres last time out. Probably will be better suited by the long straight here. Could atone here and get back into the winner’s stalls.
Punjabi Landing (7) is trained by Paul Shailer. A last start winner at the Sunshine Coast over 1800 metres. Steps up in distance and grade. Ran some strong sectionals throughout that race – could be an improver if he can stay the distance. Ben Looker, who knows every blade of grass on this track, will ride.
Backlit Beauty (9) is trained by Alan Chau and Karl Zechner will ride. He won his last start at Ipswich in the Maiden class over 2120 metres. Should be better for that win.
Castel Trosino (1) is trained by Terry Commerford with Chris Whiteley riding. Had his first run for the new stable when first up at Ballina and made good ground late on a heavy track. Will be better for that run. Steps up sharply in distance from 1600 metres to 2220 metres. Plenty of money for this runner since the markets have opened.
Charmed Destiny (2) has had two torrid runs on heavy tracks in his past efforts. Has only one career win in 29 starts – hard to have here but will run out the distance.
Selections:
8 – Quinky Deel
11 – Pleadeel
7 – Punjabi Landing
1 – Castel Trosino
Rough chances – (9) Backlit Beauty & (2) Charmed Destiny
Race 5
First leg of the treble. A BM66 over 1660 metres – can these races get any harder!
Gold Coast trainer Daiki Chujo has brought two solid chances to Grafton for this race. Do It For You (8) and Boy Loves To Run (3) and they are both last start winners.
I think the best runner for the stable is Do It For You (8) with Mollie Fitzgerald riding. She won on him last time at Ballina on a heavy track in a Class 1. He raced handily in that race and came off the heels and put the opposition to the sword late.
The stable mate is Boy Loves To Run (3) with rising star apprentice Jace McMurray riding. He won at his last start at Ballina over 1310 metres, first up from a spell. He raced in behind the speed and got the job done late.
He’s A Copy Boy (6) I think is the best chance in the race – will be ridden by Ben Looker for Ross Stitt. He has been racing in city grade at Rosehill in his past two starts and comes back to country grade for this assignment. He seems to like this track and distance. I think he struggles on the heavy surfaces so if the track improves, he is a genuine chance.
I Am Good At This (1) is a Matthew Dunn runner with Ashley Morgan riding. Hasn’t really set the world on fire in his recent efforts, but when you look at his career record on this track, he has had three starts for a win and two seconds – maybe there is something with the track and him?
Selections:
6 – He’s A Copy Boy
8 – Do It For You
3 – Boy Loves To Run
1 – I Am Good At This
Rough chance – (5) Flying Banjo
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 which 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.
Cepheus (1) is trained by Matthew Dunn Racing. Has been racing very consistently over the Winter Carnival in QLD. He is not a fan of wet tracks, but he loves running a mile and despite the huge weight will be right in this when the whips are cracking – Nash Rawiller will ride. He won this race last year – can he defend his 2023 title?
Time Quest (13) is down in the weights here. He won at Warwick Farm over the mile two starts ago. Then he stepped up to 1800 metres at Rosehill on a heavy track. I think the track and the distance were against him. So, forget that effort for mine – he gets a firmer surface and a distance that he thrives at – looks well placed at great odds - $6. Trained by Matthew Smith and another good ride for Ashley Morgan.
Estadio Mestella (4) is trained by Joseph Pride and Michael Cahill will ride. Was second up at Warwick Farm last time and I think he will be better for that effort. His best career efforts are over the mile – he will race handy throughout.
Diamond Diesel (2) is trained by Adam Duggan and Andrew Adkins will ride him again after a win last time out at Warwick Farm. He does go back in his races – that may be the only issue, but on his recent form he must be considered.
The Dramatist (15) is trained by Rodney Northam and Reece Jones will ride. I think just put a pen through his second last effort on a heavy track at Rosehill when he never fired a shot. His last start when he won at Tamworth over 1200 metres was very good. He has won up to 1500 metres and on a firmer track and with the light weight he could be in the finish at big odds.
Selections:
13 – Time Quest
4 – Estadio Mestalla
2 – Diamond Diesel
1 – Cepheus
Rough chance – (15) The Dramatist
Race 7
The last race of this big day of racing. Class 3 over 1410 metres.
Tough way to finish the day.
Iseldon (17) is around the $41 mark in some markets. Over the odds for mine. She won here two starts ago at this distance. She then went to Kempsey on a heavy track, got checked and had no luck in the running and boxed on well late. From barrier 3 look for jockey Siena Grima to get her placed handy throughout – could be a rough result at the end of the day!
Inferencia (10) is trained by Rebecca Dunn and Ben Looker will ride. She won over 1400 metres at Tamworth at her last start. She was placed handy throughout the run and then finished the race off nicely. Looks well placed here
Matthew Dunn trains North Of Eli (6) who has a tremendous record at this track. Raced in a strong midweek three-year-old race last start at Doomben over 1200 metres. He has raced at Grafton for two starts for two wins. He will appreciate the extra distance and the drop in grade – keep safe with Ashley Morgan to ride.
Artzino (2) has had a stable change – now trained in Brisbane by Jack Bruce. Has his first start for the new yards. On his previous form he possibly should bolt in. Last start was in a Group 1 event over 2004 metres at Morphettville. He is back in distance, however, has sprinted well previously – keep safe for mine. Jai Williams will ride.
Genetic Freak (1) is trained by Adam Campton on the Gold Coast – Jace McMurray, his stable apprentice will ride. Resumed on his home track on the poly surface and won at big odds over 1200 metres. He is drawn poorly in barrier 18. Maybe the first up effort was no fluke – he does have some solid form with his previous trainer.
Selections:
10 – Inferencia
17 – Isledon
6 – North Of Eli
2 – Artzino
Rough chance – (1) Genetic Freak
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Jockey’s Challenge
I think the result will be an open affair this weekend between Ashley Morgan, Ben Looker and Matthew McGurren. I think Morgan gets in.
Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)
3,4,5 / 2,4,6 / 4,7,12 / 7,8,11 - cost is $81 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)
3,4 / 2,6 / 4,7 / 7,8,11 - cost is $24 to $1
Quaddie (races 4 to 7)
7,8,11 / 3,6,8 / 2,4,13,15 / 2,6,7,10 - cost is $144 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 4 to 7)
8,11 / 6,8 / 4,13 / 6,7,10 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 5 to 7)
3,6,8 / 2,4,13,15 / 2,6,7,10 - cost is $48 to $1
BIG 6 (races 2 to 7)
2,6/4,7,12/7,8,11/3,6,8/4,13/2.6,10,17 - cost is $432 to $1
The Cheap BIG 6
2,6 / 4,7 / 7,8 / 6,8 / 4,13 / 2,6,10 - cost is $96 for $1
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