By Nick Berney
One of the more intriguing races at Grafton on Thursday is the McLennan Earthmoving Maiden Plate over 1175m, in which lightly raced galloper Top Act is set to break through for her maiden win.
The filly was impressive in her debut run at this track 19 days ago, and her effort was full of merit in a high-rating race when finishing second.
Racing returns to Grafton on Thursday.Credit: Getty
She wasn’t suited to the pace of the race, but she made up significant ground and hit the line hard, running fast-closing sectionals.
The Matthew Dunn-trained galloper profiles well for this event, and she has a positive race setup.
Further, the three-year-old will jump from an inside barrier, giving her a tactical advantage over some of her key rivals and all key indicators point towards a peak performance.
Punters have taken advantage of the early price offered for her in the upcoming assignment, and she is now a dominant favourite.
Kid Billy comes through the same race and can bounce back after failing.
The gelding’s starting price must be respected, and he receives a significant gear change with a tongue tie being applied.
The improving track suits, and he can roll forward from the inside gate.
Sierra De Gredos represents value in the Inspirations Paint Maiden Handicap over 1400m, and his first-up run for new trainer Adam Campton had hidden merit.
The four-year-old resumed at the Gold Coast on the Polytrack surface, and he wasn’t suited over the 1150m when finishing fifth.
He got too far back throughout transit, but to his credit, he built momentum before hitting the line hard to record the meeting’s second-fastest final 200m split.
Returning to a turf track is ideal, and the rise to 1400m second-up suits him. Expect him to savage the line.
Santatime looms as a key danger and deserves early favouritism after a strong first-up performance at Newcastle.
He raced well, clocked the fastest final 200m sectional of the meeting and held his action well late indicating he can only bounce off that performance.
He can settle closer and be hard to hold out.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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