Grafton preview: Tips, best bets and inside mail, Sunday races

The lightly-raced mare has pleased her trainer since winning at Lismore three weeks ago and looks hard to beat in her 1100m assignment on Sunday.

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“I can’t see why she can’t win again from a good gate,” Dunn said.

“She probably leads or at worst, settles in the first three.

“As we all know, it’s hard to step straight up again (after a maiden win) but I don’t think there is a whole of depth to this race so she gets her chance for sure.

“I thought she ran well enough last start to achieve back-to-back wins.

“The important thing is she has drawn to be on the fence and get the right run which will be a big help.”

Dunn purchased the daughter of Exceed And Excel from the 2019 Magic Millions and while she has taken time to show her potential, she can reward connections for their patience with more wins this campaign.

“She wasn’t very expensive for an Exceed And Excel,” he said.

“When we bought her, she wasn’t very big so we have given her plenty of time and she has developed into quite a nice horse now.

“Hopefully she can step up from here and go on to win a midweek race in Brisbane.”

Dunn believes stablemate Think High can bounce back from his last start failure at the Gold Coast and regain winning form in the Benchmark 66 over 1400m.

The four-year-old had recorded back-to-back wins at Lismore and Murwillumbah before finishing last of five at his latest run.

“His last run wasn’t great. All I can put it down to is that he shifted a plate during the run and maybe that was enough to put him off because he did pull up a little bit sore in that foot.

“His form before that was very good with a couple of wins and he can bounce back, I’m sure.

“I was up at the Murwillumbah stables through the week and he looks great. He’s in really good shape.”

Xanthus put up a strong effort when a close second at the Gold Coast last start after two luckless runs prior and Dunn rates him one of his best chances for the day.

“He’s been a nice horse right through his career,” he said.

“He got back to form with a nice second last start and this looks an easier race.

“He is probably one of my best chances for the day. He is really well placed in this race.

“He’s a horse who is always going to get a bit of weight because he does have some city form but this looks a good race to give him another boost in confidence.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 7 No.9: INSPIRATION

The Jenny Graham-trained filly followed to good placings with a stylish win at Kempsey last time out. Narrowly beaten on Heavy ground first-up so track conditions isn’t a concern.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No.4: I’M GUNNA CASHEW

Jumped straight to the front from the inside gate and scored a nice win at Lismore last start. Drawn the pole again and can go back-to-back.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No.8: DEEP MIRROR

Good effort at big odds when third at Scone two runs back before a close second at Armidale last start. Ideally drawn and handles it wet.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 3, 6, 11

Race 5: 2, 3, 4

Race 6: 4, 6, 8, 10

Race 7: 2, 4, 9

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Matthew McGuren has a stellar book of rides and will prove hard to beat in the Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL: GRAFTON

RACE 1

It took until start 30 for Hichaux to break through for his first win but he did it well here at Grafton two runs back before going down by a nose here last start. Ready to land his second career win. Burlesy has appreciated getting out in distance to finish second over 1800m at his past two starts. You’ll Think Of Me placed this track and distance last start. Won’t be far away again. Moonlight Eclipse led all-the-way two starts.

Bet: Hichaux to win. Quinella 1, 9.

RACE 2

Topweight Xanthus bounced back off a couple of luckless runs with a close up second to Sir Rocket at the Gold Coast last start striking some interference late. This looks an ideal race to find the winners’ circle again. Banjo’s Voice is a very consistent gelding resuming from a spell. Nice win on the heavy at the Gold Coast three starts back in May. Will make his presence felt. Hidden Hail debuts for new trainer Shane Everson. Form prior to a freshen up was good. Untried on heavy but has performed well on soft. Stablemate Marokawa can be included in the multiples.

Bet: Xanthus to win. Quinella 1, 2.

RACE 3

Stretching ran a nice third to I’m Gunna Cashew off a short back-up at Lismore on November 8 before a second at Bowraville last start. On an eight-day back-up and can break her maiden. Kaytee Reinado was safely held when third to Thisland Is Myland and Cosmo Kramer at Ballina on November 1 and the runner-up has won easily since then. Will find this easier than fifth at Doomben last start. Mikhail was a nice second at Coffs Harbour two runs back and worth consideration on that. Miles Ahead raced keen when down the track here last start. Not fully tested when a length and a half fifth at Ballina two starts back.

Bet: Stretching to win.

RACE 4

Tayella turned up for her return to racing with two nice barrier trial wins at the Gold Coast recently. Almost broke her maiden at her final start before a break when beaten a nose at the Gold Coast on April 3. Drawn to get an ideal run and can break through. Bean Foggy raced wide without cover when a neck second to I’m Gunna Cashew at Lismore three weeks ago. Looks the main danger. Rock Odyssey was held up on straightening when third to Grey Enough here on November 3. Handy second at Lismore two starts earlier. Acadiens is a Vancouver filly on debut. Was a nice fourth in a recent Grafton trial.

Bet: Tayella each-way.

RACE 5

Improving mare I’m Gunna Cashew was good breaking her maiden with an all-the-way win at Lismore three weeks ago. She did a bit wrong in the run but will take good improvement from the outing. Drawn barrier 1 again which will work in her favour as she tries to go back-to-back. Shirazzle is resuming from a very long spell but showed she is ready to go with two good barrier trials at Coffs Harbour. Moringa’s Amordoro had no luck last start when wide without cover at Lismore on November 8. Did a bit wrong but battled on well when fourth to Flora at Grafton October 26. Cutting Loose will benefit from his first-up fifth at Lismore.

Bet: I’m Gunna Cashew to win.

RACE 6

Deep Mirror is coming off two close seconds at Scone and Armidale and can find winning form. Beaten a head by Unrestricted at his most recent outing. Drawn to sit just behind the speed. Think High recorded back-to-back wins at Lismore and Murwillumbah before failing at Gold Coast last start. Pay to forgive that run and look for him to bounce back. Flying Pretty has been just behind the placegetters in two starts back from a spell. Has won at this track and distance. Real Gent was better last start after pulling hard when resuming. The grey has won six races with four them on heavy ground.

Bet: Deep Mirror each-way.

RACE 7

Inspiration kicked off her campaign with a close third at Taree and a second at Grafton before breaking through with an impressive win by nearly three lengths at Kempsey on November 5. Gets a good run from the inside gate. Loving Miss resumed from a spell with a handy second to Maestoso over 1400m after being inconvenienced at the Gold Coast on November 7. Looks suited stepping up to 1600m. Ice Elite was slow away before running on to finish a three-quarter length second at Beaudesert on October 30 before a big win at the Gold Coast a week later. La Roca will appreciate getting out to 1600m and back to a heavy track.

Bet: Loving Miss to win.

Originally published as Grafton preview: Tips, best bets and inside mail