Fire up your Sunday punting with our Grafton best bets, highlighting the key runners ready to help you end the week right.
DIDIE’S MEADOW (3) resumes here after placing in both starts during her first preparation, latest when third beaten 2.33 lengths at Lismore over 1320m.
Prior to that, she was excellent on debut at Grafton when second beaten a head, finding the line strongly after being held up around the turn.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly looks to have furnished based on two excellent trials leading into this first-up assignment.
Top jockey Nash Rawiller rides, has a good record for the Dunn stable and can stalk what looks a strong speed.
| 3. Didie’s Meadow (7) J: Nash Rawiller 58kg 23xT: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Resuming after a five months break. Finished off last preparation third of 7 at Lismore Ctry Mdn February 10 over 1320m, soft track; 2.75 len behind Drahomira carrying 58kg at $1.24. On debut second of 8 at this track Super Mdn January 25 over 1183m, a head behind Evony with 54kg at $7. Expecting a positive return with the key jockey change. | |||
STEFFI ELECTRICA (4) improved second-up at Ipswich when third beaten 0.79 lengths over 1100m, working home well after settling midfield.
Prior to that, she was well beaten at the Gold Coast Poly but had excuses after over-racing and failing to settle.
She is a previous third-up winner over this course and distance, which is a strong pointer for the Toby Edmonds-trained filly.
With fitness now on her side, the likely strong speed will aid her cause.
| 4. Steffi Electrica (8) J: Archie Mccolm 57.5kg 85×73T: Toby Edmonds | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 7th of 11 at Gold Coast Poly Bm60 on May 16 over 1050m, 9 len behind Cat Call carrying 55kg at $6. Second-up sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 9 at Ipswich 0 – 62 on June 25 over 1100m, slow going 1.4 len behind Everybody Rise with 55.5kg at $5.50. Rates highly with the claim. | |||
MISS MIDAS TOUCH (12) was good first-up at Inverell when second beaten 0.95 lengths over 1200m, finishing off well after settling last.
The Brett Dodson-trained mare has finished runner-up in four of her 10 races, with her only real failures coming on wet tracks.
She should take natural improvement second-up and looks suited back on firmer ground.
With even luck from the draw, she gets her chance to break through.
| 12. Miss Midas Touch (5) J: Grady Spokes 57kg 528×2T: Brett Dodson | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months 2nd in a small field at Inverell Ctry Mdn on June 19 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Spartan Steel with 55kg at $2.20. Previously second-up 5th of 8 at Lismore Ctry Mdn on October 19 over 1210m, 4 len behind Whiskey Miss with 59kg at $7.50. Returned in good order and shapes as a leading hope. | |||
HOLLYWOOD HERO (7) has placed in both runs this preparation in town, latest at Rosehill when second beaten a neck over 1500m.
Prior to that, he was strong at Randwick when third beaten 1.15 lengths over 1300m, hitting the line well in a solid metro race.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding races well third-up and gets down in the weights for the South Grafton Cup.
Drawn awkwardly, but there looks to be good speed which suits, and there could be a number of scratchings that see him come in.
| 7. Hollywood Hero (10) J: Winona Costin 55kg 34×32T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 3rd of 14 at Randwick Bm94 on June 6 over 1300m, slow going 2.5 len behind Cool Jakey with 58kg at $31. Second run from a spell ran on from midfield; 2nd of 15 at Rosehill Bm88 on June 27 over 1500m, on a slow track; neck behind Emirate carrying 61kg at $6.50. Set to peak and can overcome the sticky gate. | |||