By John Schell
Selections based on a heavy track.
RACE 1 – 12:25PM VILIFIED AT STUD MAIDEN HANDICAP (1710M)
7. Magic Sorcerer has been placed in three of 13 starts and comes into this having been just behind the placings at Quirindi and Armidale at his latest two starts. He has the advantage of gate one and gets his chance to break through.
Dangers: 1. King’s Warrior debuted at Ipswich with a fourth over the same trip and is sure to have
derived benefit from that experience. He raced on the speed in that and should do the same from an
awkward alley. 2. Sellinya was a last-start second at this track and can show up again with a repeat of that. 4. Bright The Sun was placed at Lismore on debut and was midfield at Ballina in her only other start.
How to play it: Magic Sorcerer to win.
Race 2 – 1PM GRAFTONTICKETS.COM.AU BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (2370M)
2. The Irish has a solid record with two wins and three placings from the 10 starts. He’s had three runs back from a spell and been close-up in each of them and this race looks made to order for him.
Dangers: 3. Waitapu started favourite when winning at Tamworth at his latest start and he has a
good overall record. He should show up here on his best form. 1. Zaynudin broke through with a win
at Ballina as favourite when last produced and can show up again with a repeat of that. 5. More
Saintly ran fourth in the same race Zaynudin won and could get into the placings this time.
How to play it: The Irish to win.
Race 3 – 1:35PM WESTLAWN FINANCE COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1106M)
8. Olivershare is on debut and has had one trial leading into this and finished third at Deagon in that hit-out. He’s drawn the inside barrier in this and should get a good run throughout.
Dangers: 7. Neil had one start at Doomben earlier in the year and finished midfield at big odds. He
resumes here after two good trials and should run well fresh. 3. Prince Of Prophets has been
unplaced in three starts but wasn’t disgraced in any of them and is a trial winner leading into this.
13. Lucky Neko resumed from a spell with a third at Murwillumbah and she warrants respect here.
How to play it: Olivershare to win.
There are nine races on the card at Grafton on Friday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 4 – 2:10PM BOOK A CHRISTMAS PARTY @ CRJC CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1106M)
9. Indubitably was first-up from a spell at Beaudesert earlier this month and she ran well when finishing a close-up second. She should take up a forward position and take plenty of running down.
Dangers: 14. Thunderous was a winner at this track in April and has had two runs back from a
spell with a last-start fourth here being an improvement on the resuming effort. 1. Darkley has a win and a fourth from just the two starts and resumes from a long spell here on the back of a recent trial in which he wasn’t beaten far. A bold fresh showing is on the cards. 8. Got The Smarts resumed from a spell with a solid win and she should figure prominently again with a repeat of that.
How to play it: Indubitably to win.
Race 5 – 2:45PM CRJC AGM 27 November MAIDEN PLATE (1410 METRES)
13. Chilcuz was on debut at Kempsey when hitting the line well to finish second. She should be better for that experience and this looks a winnable race for her.
Dangers: 4. Pierre Cardinnigan debuted with a second at Ballina when he hit the line well as favourite. He’s drawn a wide gate here and should figure with any luck. 5. Risk For Reward has been
placed in two of five starts and hasn’t been far away in both runs since resuming. 10. Kobaytera has
finished third in each of her latest three starts and this looks within her reach.
How to play it: Chillcuz to win.
Race 6 – 3:20PM CRJC CHRISTMAS RACE DAY 1 DECEMBER COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1410M)
4. Saxinoue was a winner at his second start at Murwillumbah when doing the job well. He resumed from a spell with a fourth at this track and with the benefit of that run he will be hard to hold out.
Dangers: 7. I Am Convincing ran an improved race when third at this track last time out and could
figure in the placings again without surprising. 8. The Coat Hanger led throughout to score in good
style at Kempsey when last produced and has claims again. 9. Rothesay’s Ruby was a Murwillumbah
winner at her latest start and shouldn’t be underestimated.
How to play it: Saxinoue to win.
Race 7 – 4PM Barnes Storm Show 1 December COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1410M)
7. Ellro had looked good in a couple of Deagon trials before resuming from a spell and scoring a strong win at this track. She’s drawn ideally in this and only needs to have maintained her form to be rated the one to beat again.
Dangers: 1. Silver Canvas went down narrowly when finishing second at this track at his latest start
and from the good gate he should figure prominently again. 4. Salamancas finished last at Taree
when last produced but has since had a trial at Coffs Harbour in which he performed well. He can be
in the finish here on his best form. 3. Bellzen won a couple on end before racing on the speed and
weakening late when fifth at Kempsey last time out. He can figure in this.
How to play it: Ellro to win.
Race 8 – 4:40PM TEAM AIDAN MARKETS @ CRJC THIS SUNDAY CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1610M)
5. Showman was just behind the placings in a couple of metropolitan races at Doomben and Rosehill before a last-start fifth at the Gold Coast. He has the inside gate in this and should go close.
Dangers: 1. Second Sun was a winner at Ipswich back in May and has been placed in both runs at
Doomben since resuming from a spell. He is worth plenty of thought again despite the awkward
alley. 6. Desert Mist was placed at this track two starts ago then ran fourth here when last produced.
He has the talent to make an impact. 7. True Fairy was midfield at Grafton when resuming from a
spell and she’s drawn well which should assist her claims.
How to play it: Showman each way.
Race 9 – 5:20PM BEATS IN THE VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL 7 DECEMBER BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP (1206M)
4. Maximum Vortex was resuming from a spell when finishing second at Beaudesert. He’s
a winner of four of 14 with three second placings and the apprentice allowance should help here.
Dangers: 3. Single Touch has looked good winning each of his latest two starts at this track and
there’s no reason he can’t make an impact again while in this sort of form. 8. Preemptory failed to
fire when resuming at this track but is capable of improving. 9. Strapparsi has been placed in two of
her latest three starts and is worth including among the main chances.
How to play it: Maximum Vortex to win.
Best bets: Race 6: (4) Saxinoue. Race 7: (7) Ellro.
Best value: Race 8: (5) Showman.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
