GRAFTON PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | FRIDAY MAY 9TH 2025
RAIL: +5m 1600m-1100m; +9m 700m-400m; +7m Remainder TRACK: Heavy 10
Looks likely to be a testing track given at time of writing the track was already rated at a heavy 10 with the potential of some race day showers lingering as well. Expect runners to come wide in the straight and it may be tricky to make up much ground in these wet conditions.
9. Charmed Destiny
3. Maui
4. Nature Boy
2. Solar Power
Betting Strategy
LAY: 2. Solar Power (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $6.00)
Against the set up SOLAR POWER has here for this race. While he is a last start winner up in grade, the drop in grade is going to have him carry a big weight here and over this trip on a genuinely heavy surface, may test him late.
1. Homeland
4. Temple Bells
2. Pride Of Glasgow
7. Labarna
Betting Strategy
HOMELAND looks close to a win having placed 3 times so far this prep, he maps well from the inside barrier to be racing up on speed, gets conditions that look like it should suit. TEMPLE BELLS maps well also and has had 3 good runs on a heavy track so may be best suited. PRIDE OF GLASGOW is coming off 2 runs on a heavy track, he is more lightly raced than some rivals here, potentially has greater upside. LABARNA has had plenty of goes to win a maiden, a heavy track may give him his best chance of late.
8. Lucky Neo
6. Zouandme
9. Shackamaxon
2. Hezanuff
Betting Strategy
LUCKY NEKO resumes, she has had 2 runs on a heavy track previously and both were placings. She should handle the conditions well enough and be prominent in the run. ZOUANDME maps as a likely leader which may suit best, the wider barrier isn’t ideal as he may need luck from these. SHACKAMAXON will also need luck from a wide barrier but she is first up here for a new stable which could bring her on. HEZANUFF is first up, if he can handle the heavy going he rates well enough to threaten.
4. Cool Fizz
1. Cabsav
3. Ostracised
5. Monarch Express
Betting Strategy
BACK: 4. Cool Fizz (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $5.00)
COOL FIZZ maps to be forwards in the running, given we are expecting a heavy track, she looks ideally suited in these conditions given her super record on a heavy (7:2-3-0). If it is hard to make ground up from the back, she looks to have ideal conditions.
19. Enhance
5. Risk For Reward
4. No Ragrets
1. Cluster’s General
Betting Strategy
ENHANCE has placed in his last 5 starts including the resuming run last start. Conditions are the query for him given he isn’t tested on a heavy track. RISK FOR REWARD has heavy track experience and was a recent winner on a heavy, that could be his key. NO RAGRETS is fitter 3rd up now and rising in trip, conditions are the query. CLUSTER’S GENERAL has produced some of his highest rated runs on heavy going but he hasn’t had many favours with the wide barrier.
6. Olivershare
7. Yalla
1. Colleano
4. Bring Me Saki
Betting Strategy
OLIVERSHARE was super when resuming here, he has good early speed and is drawn well, could lead all of the way. YALLA was a solid 2nd last time out and will drop slightly in grade now which suits. COLLEANO is another who is dropping in grade and should find this an easier level. BRING ME SAKI was a last start winner and has form on a heavy track which could be key.
6. Wilderness Star
5. Resurrected
1. Hardley Grey
15. Vacillation
Betting Strategy
WILDERNESS STAR has the highest ratings on a heavy track than any others in this race. She is drawn well up in a low barrier and looks likely to race up on speed and be prominent, may take catching in these heavy conditions. RESURRECTED was solid last start in what is potentially a stronger race, the wider barrier isn’t ideal so may need these conditions to suit. HARDLEY GREY has solid form on heavy tracks including a last start 2nd when up in grade. VACILLATION drops in grade, only real query for him is if he can handle the heavy going.
1. Bean Foggy
9. Change The Date
6. Sherriff Cody
7. Badgers Nuts
Betting Strategy
BEAN FOGGY is coming off a last start 2nd in similar conditions in a similar grade race to this. He was well supported that day and again looks likely to jump as the favourite. CHANGE THE DATE has the right race map here and has won 3 of his 5 starts on a heavy track. SHERRIFF CODY needs to improve on his recent form, but he goes well on a heavy rated track so he gets his chance to improve. BADGER NUTS went close in a stronger race last time out at The Gold Coast, if he can handle the conditions he could be value.
2. Beauty Eight
12. Our Sparky
10. Merapi
6. Havieron
Betting Strategy
BEAUTY EIGHT broke through for a maiden win on a heavy track last start so should be well suited on this wet track, may need some luck from the wide barrier but a big tick on the heavy track. OUR SPARKY is drawn wide and may need luck but his best form on a heavy track could be his key. 2 of MERAPI’s 3 career wins have come in heavy conditions so expect she can handle this track.
3. Shamadan
8. Cosmic Fortune
2. Super Jaie
5. Aye Aye Skipper
Betting Strategy
BACK: 3. Shamadan (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $2.20)
SHADAMAN is dropping well down in grade here from a last start run at Doomben. This looks a much easier race and the heavy conditions should suit given she has produced her 2 best career runs on a heavy track. She is drawn wide which might not be ideal, but hopefully by the last of the day they are coming wide in the straight which lands her in a handy position.
