3 minute read

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Tuesday's meeting at Grafton. Selections based on a soft.

1. Cosmo Kramer did have his chance first-up at Murwillumbah when third but he did box on okay and will be fitter for it. Raced consistently last time in so expect him to improve and hold his form. Good chance.

Dangers: 2. Iring is another honest type with a handy record and has been going around in this class in Queensland of late. Ran on without threatening last time at Sunshine Coast but hard to beat here. 7. Dimitri skips a grade after breaking through for a maiden win at start 17 at Murwillumbah two weeks ago. Could go on with it now. 3. Rose Bouquet has been disappointing in two runs back but getting up to 1215m now he should start to improve given a string of placings last time in up to a mile.

How to play it: Cosmo Kramer WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

3. Lucap dropped in distance after two wins at this trip and didn't do a bad job in a race with a tearaway leader to run into fifth at Murwillumbah last week. Much better off up in distance on the back up, drawn okay and should be competitive.

Dangers: 4. Praeferox has the wide gate to contend with but plenty to like about the first-up run at Murwillumbah and the extra trip will suit. With a bit of luck can be in the finish again. 5. Flying Pretty found the short trip too short when resuming at Coffs Harbour so will appreciate going into her comfort zone here. Has to be included. 6. Blinding Light was a close fourth in the same race as Praeferox after running on from near last. Each-way claims at least.

How to play it: Lucap E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

7. La Soeur is a very interesting first starter who has trialled a couple of times at the Gold Coast in June. Draws the rails and if the market likes her she might make a winning debut.

Dangers: 1. Durnstein hasn't raced since a sound debut here back in January where he sat on the pace and held on for third. Had support there too. Trialled nicely enough leading in and is a logical threat. 6. Chilling Me Softly debuts for the Matt Dunn yard and has trialled in Sydney on three occasions this year, two this prep. Not really exposed in them so keep an eye on betting for a pointer. 10. Really Motivated showed a bit of promise in her first prep with a placing at Wyong. Trialled behind Parksville a couple of weeks ago and is in the mix here.

How to play it: La Soeur WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

5. Bold Contender is in top form chasing a hat-trick after easy wins here and Coffs Harbour in June. Up in trip again but is flying, handles all conditions and looks hard to beat again.

Dangers: 3. Atonement has been unplaced in five starts since her last win but this is her best chance to put herself in the finish since then. Not beaten far on a heavy at Canterbury last start and deserves respect. 9. Anazone has found some form of late with a pair of seconds at Coffs Harbour on wet tracks at a mile. Up in trip but worth a look while in form. 4. Olympic Class can mix form but drop in trip against him last time at Ipswich following a win over 1800m a week earlier. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Bold Contender WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

2. Wizard Of Oz has returned in excellent form and backed up a placing on a heavy track here with an easy Port Macquarie maiden win. Up in class but looks capable of going on with it and should run well.

Dangers: 4. Wonderwhen is yet to miss a place in seven starts for one win and comes into this on the back of a trial win here almost a month ago. Has the wide gate but sure to be competitive as usual. 8. D'Oro Heart was a heavy track winner here back in April and closed off the race well last time at Coffs Harbour when beaten half a length. Each-way hopes. 6. Split Jete has been freshened up since a failure at the Gold Coast a month ago, previous form solid and could bounce back.

How to play it: Wizard Of Oz WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

3. Puerto Rico shouldn't be judged on his second-up failure where he had cardiac arrhythmia. Trialled well since then and his first-up run was sound. Capable of bouncing back.

Dangers: 6. Sweet Home Alabama hit the line well on a soft 6 track at Port Macquarie last time and has been around the mark of late. Draws one and best form is at this sort of trip so has a case. 4. Attestar romped in at Inverell two starts back then midfield when a drifter in betting at Port Macquarie a couple of weeks ago. Worth another chance. 2. Koondeeman doesn't seem to like a heavy track so conditions here should suit, can improve on last start at Armidale.

How to play it: Puerto Rico WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

7. Kapsali was an impressive winner over this track and trip at his first two runs last time in before having excuses at only other start in the prep. Trialled nicely leading into this and with a bit of early luck should go well.

Dangers: 6. Fighting Magnus has very good wet track form and wasn't disgraced in a Highway at Randwick last weekend. Looking for the step back up in trip and is the logical danger. 5. Cabsav won narrowly on a heavy track at Coffs Harbour before an even effort there last time on a soft 7. Consistent type and usually features on his home track so must include. 1. Royale Return hasn't measured up in two Benchmark races in Sydney but won past three at country level so that must be respected. Big weight but definite chance.

How to play it: Kapsali WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

9. Parksville is a promising type and while he's yet to win first-up he's never run a bad race fresh. Won well over this course in January, doesn't mind it wet and trialled very strongly leading in. Hard to beat. Read trainer Brett Dodson's comments here.

Dangers: 7. The Lioness has won five from 10 and always fires first-up so she's a decent threat. Trialling well and with a bit of luck from the barrier should be in the finish. 8. Patino Ruby had some support at odds and led all the way at Muswellbrook on a soft 7 before a freshen up. Likes the wet and bears close watching here. 6. Hidden Hail boasts a good record and is another who performs well on the fresh side. Won well here back in November over a similar trip and fitter for a couple of trials. Must include. 1. Burning Crown is the class runner resuming since October 2020. Has looked dynamic in two trial wins but has a wide gate and top weight. Check betting.

How to play it: Parksville WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.