By John Schell
(Selections based on a good track)
Race 1
1. Jungle Law is resuming from a spell and had good form last campaign having won at Eagle Farm three starts ago and then finishing second at the same track before the break. He’s won a recent trial leading into this return and should be primed for a bold showing. 2. Spring Eagle has been placed in each of his latest two starts at this track and should show up again if he can maintain that form. 6. Got The Smarts is a consistent mare that has a win and three placings from seven starts and she can be thereabouts again. 4. Dee Stormed is first-up from a spell and was a winner at this track last July.
How to play it: Jungle Law WIN.
Racing returns to Grafton on Friday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 2
2. Corvalist has a solid record with nine placings to his name from 12 starts. He ran second at Murwillumbah two starts ago and then finished third at Lismore behind subsequent winner Rustic Tzar when last produced. This looks to be his race. 11. Rainbow Lass was placed at Lismore when resuming and then was midfield at Beaudesert. 5. Humphree Bear hit the line well enough for a last start second at this track and can figure prominently again. 4. Stavritzel was safely held at Ballina last time out but is capable of improvement.
How to play it: Corvalist WIN.
Race 3
3. Rothesay’s Ruby has been racing well with two wins to her name from her last four starts.
She hit the line well to score here when last produced and she only needs to run up to that to be the one to beat again. 1. Suit Day is also in good form having scored at Tamworth two starts ago and then finishing third at Gunnedah. He’s racing well enough to give this a shake. 4. Mimessi finished third behind Rothesay’s Ruby when they last clashed, and he can be in the mix again. 2. Nature Boy was placed here three starts ago and he can give cheek.
How to play it: Rothesay’s Ruby WIN.
Race 4
1. Guru Class has only won two from 21 but she has a further 12 placings to her name. She won at this track back in September and then ran third here before being spelled. She’s had two trials in preparation for this resuming run and she is primed to sprint well fresh. 2. The Lupercal has a string of five placings since winning at Moree in November. He should be thereabouts again. 5. La Pelago did the job well to win at Dubbo when last produced and another forward showing is expected. 9. Vocation was placed at Ballina last time out and can figure again.
How to play it: Guru Class WIN.
Race 5
3. Foo Fighter has had three runs back from a spell and was beaten less than a length when fourth at this track last time. He should be set to peak here and has the benefit of a four-kilogram apprentice claim. 4. Mr Crowning Moment has been safely held in his last two starts at Port Macquarie but is suited here from the good barrier. 5. So You Are debuted with a solid third at Tamworth and can show up again here despite having a wide gate to contend with. 13. Ready To Drink is yet to be placed from four starts, but she has the benefit of the inside alley here.
How to play it: Foo Fighter EACH WAY.
Race 6
2. Puligny is a filly on debut, and she’s had three trials in preparation, the latest two in December and January at Deagon. She’s shown enough talent to be rated hard to beat in this. 3. Monte Tiana was never in the hunt at Port Macquarie at her latest start but was placed at Coffs Harbour before that. 6. Effie’s Joy is fresh for this and has had a recent Gold Coast trial to be kept up to the mark. 10. Magic Shannon was placed here last time and can figure in the minor money again.
How to play it: Puligny WIN.
Race 7
2. Swift Charm was placed at Coffs Harbour before tackling Highway company and doing the job well to score at Rosehill at his latest start. The apprentice claim will assist here from a good gate. 6. Mindspace is resuming and is capable of sprinting well fresh. 8. Change The Date has been behind the placings of late but can improve. 1. Collay’s Spirit won at Murwillumbah two starts ago and will find this easier than his last start Ballina Cup effort.
How to play it: Swift Charm WIN.
Race 8
12. Key Legend has been racing well with two wins from his last three starts. He got through to score narrowly here last week and from the good draw he gets the chance to repeat the dose. 5. Zanardee’s Lane is resuming from a spell on the back of a trial win. He wasn’t beaten far in a Randwick Highway before the break. 9. Red Red Wine wasn’t beaten far at Ipswich on the back of a Murwillumbah win. 4. Eagle Hawk Star is racing well and has claims.
How to play it: Key Legend WIN.
BEST BETS
Race 4: (1) Guru Class
Race 8: (12) Key Legend
Best Value
Race 5: (3) Foo Fighter
