Latest news with #Grafton
The Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Grafton preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 20, 2025
Trainer Tony Ball was unable to get a winner on the board over the two day Grafton carnival but he's hoping he can do so a few days later. Ball makes the trip north again from Taree to Grafton with three horses in the float, all of which he's got a good deal of confidence about. The most interesting of Ball's brigade comes up in the feature of the day with Xtra Approval getting a good drop in weight for the Maclean Cup (1400m). The six-year-old son of Xtravagant found the 60kg at Hawkesbury last start a touch too tough but drops way down to 55kg with apprentice hoop Shae Wilkes in the saddle. 'It's a nice race for him and he gets about 5kg off some of those horses in the race,' Ball said. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'I thought he ran well at Hawkesbury the other day but just probably didn't appreciate the weight on a heavy track. 'So he now goes down to 55kg with Shae (Wilkes) utilising her claim and I'd expect him to be hard to beat.' Xtra Approval also finds his sweet spot at 1400m after running over the mile last time out. 'Getting back to 1400m probably suits him a bit too,' Ball said. 'He won a Kempsey Cup at the trip late last year and probably just found that mile a touch too far last start.' Earlier in the card will see three-year-old filly Felasuvi have her third run for the stable after starting her career off in Victoria with Leon and Troy Corstens. The daughter of Star Witness was eye catching at Coffs Harbour at her stable debut before finding a Class 1 a touch too tough at this track over the 1006m. She now steps up to 1100m in the second race on the card and goes from a good track but to a rain affected one. 'She gets a senior rider on this week with Siena not there so Matty (McGuren) goes on and that should be good for her,' Ball said. 'With the way the race looks to play out, she'll get the gun run from barrier four and get her chance. 'If she's good enough she'll win but if she's not, we'll just have to go back to the drawing board with her. 'But I'd expect her to go well and she's pulled up a treat from last Sunday so no issues with the seven day back up for her.' Thirty five minutes later will see Ball's bargain buy Where's The Fire look the break through for a win. The five-year-old gelding would be the best bred galloper going around at Grafton being by I Am Invincible and out of a Snitzel mare. 'It's not too often you get an I Am Invincible for $15,000,' Ball said. 'We got him about a year ago and he's been a handy little horse for us. 'I think he won at Grafton before I had him and he's had a few more runs at the track so he knows it well. 'With the drop in grade and Matty going on board, I reckon he'll run a good race. 'He should be nearing his top after two runs now this time in so hopefully he can break through for a win for us.' It's a capacity field for Where's The Fire's race with 16 acceptances including two emergencies for the 1100m contest. JETT HATTON'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 1 No. 12: ARCHIE MAXIMUS Forgive his last start run at Coffs Harbour when nothing went his way. Well placed to bounce back. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 5: LOVE RAT Never got a clear shot last start. With some luck he can bounce back. VALUE BET Race 5 No. 4: XTRA APPROVAL Good weight drop off his last start run at the provincials. Enjoys the drop back in trip too, QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 4 Race 5: 1, 2, 4 Race 6: 2, 6, 12 Race 7: 1, 2, 6, 10 Jockey Matthew McGuren will be popular in the Jockey Challenge with a strong book of rides. Picture: Greg Irvine, Magic Millions JOCKEY TO FOLLOW MATTHEW MCGUREN rides in all seven races on the card and has a couple winning chances. INSIDE MAIL - GRAFTON RACE 1: Andrew Tom Builder Pty Ltd Mdn Plate 1100m Be forgiving of the last start effort of ARCHIE MAXIMUS (12). Had some trouble at the start and on the heavy track, he couldn't get into it. Was also checked on the turn. Can bounce back here and break the maiden. JACOB'S WELL (1) comes out of three provincial maidens. First-up for the new stable and the blinkers come off. ZAINDARA (14) is the stablemate of Archie Maximus. The fact Matt McGuren is booked for that horse and the apprentice is on Zaindara is a lead. Bet: Archie Maximus to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 2: Maclean Variety Meats (Bm58) 1100m WITH STYLE (3) has had one start for one win and it was at this track. She's now with Chris and Corey Munce and has looked good at her two trials leading into her first-up run. Tricky barrier but looks classy. MISS WATERLINE (2) ran at Eagle Farm last start. Was wide throughout and drawn out again here so will need some luck. SNOW FALCON (1) is going better than the formguide would suggest. Blinkers come off with the winkers applied. Bet: With Style to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 3: Hooked On Seafood (Bm58) 1100m LOVE RAT (5) never got a clear shot at them last time out at Coffs Harbour in a decent race. Can position closer to the speed from barrier two and be in the finish. FULL REGALIA (9) can sprint well first-up from a spell. She's done so in the past and can do so again here. The easier race will suit WHERE'S THE FIRE (3) from Tony Ball's stable. Should be peaking third-up into his campaign. BUSH WARRIOR (12) goes into the numbers as well. Bet: Love Rat to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 4: Maclean Hotel (Bm58) 3120m Not too often you see a 3120m race in country NSW. WILL TO EXCEL (1) isn't getting any younger as a nine-year-old but showed last start that he's in good form with a third at Mudgee. Drawn to do no work from the inside barrier. SMELTER (6) will handle the distance. Was a three length winner over 2450m at Beaudesert back in May 26. Bet: Will To Excel to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 5: Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Cup 1400m XTRA APPROVAL (4) gets a nice weight drop off his last start run at Hawkesbury when up to 1600m. Will enjoy stepping back in trip to 1400m and he is drawn to get every chance from barrier six with Shae Wilkes on board. AFRICAN DAISY (2) is the proven horse here, given she's a last start winner at Rosehill. Has to carry the big weight but certainly has a class edge. MATTER OF HONOUR (1) has raced at Randwick his last five starts, so Grafton is certainly a change of scenery. WILD CHAP (3) is a Group 3 winner way back when. Needs to improve but finds an easier race. Bet: Xtra Approval each-way. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: Gm Accounting Maclean Mdn Hcp 1700m Not the easiest race to dissect given the record of some of these horses. Thought FLEE WITH MEE (2) would appreciate the easy contest. She went close a few starts back and the booking of Matt McGuren suits for this race. Awkward barrier but think she's the best horse in the race. IMMORTELLE (6) should get the run of the race and so often in these open affairs, that's the winning factor. STAR OF KONGO (12) is a 21 start maiden but is knocking on the door for that fist win. Honest on pace effort off a six week freshen up last start and should only improve off that. Bet: Flee With Me to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: Andrew Tom Builder Pty Ltd Mdn Plate 1100m MEGHAN (10) should get the run of the race from barrier four. She gets here in career best form and will appreciate the strong tempo that looks likely here. SHOWMAN (1) just missed last time out at Murwillumbah. Tricky barrier for Shae Wilkes to navigate but he's probably the best horse in this race. SPILLS (2) burnt petrol early last start and it told late. Can take a sit from a wide barrier today and turn in an improved effort. SECRET KEEPER (6) goes in the mix as well. Bet: Meghan each-way.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Grafton preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 20, 2025
Trainer Tony Ball was unable to get a winner on the board over the two day Grafton carnival but he's hoping he can do so a few days later. Ball makes the trip north again from Taree to Grafton with three horses in the float, all of which he's got a good deal of confidence about. The most interesting of Ball's brigade comes up in the feature of the day with Xtra Approval getting a good drop in weight for the Maclean Cup (1400m). The six-year-old son of Xtravagant found the 60kg at Hawkesbury last start a touch too tough but drops way down to 55kg with apprentice hoop Shae Wilkes in the saddle. 'It's a nice race for him and he gets about 5kg off some of those horses in the race,' Ball said. It's a hometown win in the Kempsey Cup! The Tony Ball-trained Xtra Approval roars clear with a visibly thrilled Siena Grima in the saddle ðŸ�† â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 8, 2024 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'I thought he ran well at Hawkesbury the other day but just probably didn't appreciate the weight on a heavy track. 'So he now goes down to 55kg with Shae (Wilkes) utilising her claim and I'd expect him to be hard to beat.' Xtra Approval also finds his sweet spot at 1400m after running over the mile last time out. 'Getting back to 1400m probably suits him a bit too,' Ball said. 'He won a Kempsey Cup at the trip late last year and probably just found that mile a touch too far last start.' Earlier in the card will see three-year-old filly Felasuvi have her third run for the stable after starting her career off in Victoria with Leon and Troy Corstens. The daughter of Star Witness was eye catching at Coffs Harbour at her stable debut before finding a Class 1 a touch too tough at this track over the 1006m. She now steps up to 1100m in the second race on the card and goes from a good track but to a rain affected one. 'She gets a senior rider on this week with Siena not there so Matty (McGuren) goes on and that should be good for her,' Ball said. 'With the way the race looks to play out, she'll get the gun run from barrier four and get her chance. Where's The Fire was too hot for his rivals under the urgings of @Aaronbullock90 for trainer Tony Ball at Taree ðŸ'¥ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 3, 2024 'If she's good enough she'll win but if she's not, we'll just have to go back to the drawing board with her. 'But I'd expect her to go well and she's pulled up a treat from last Sunday so no issues with the seven day back up for her.' Thirty five minutes later will see Ball's bargain buy Where's The Fire look the break through for a win. The five-year-old gelding would be the best bred galloper going around at Grafton being by I Am Invincible and out of a Snitzel mare. 'It's not too often you get an I Am Invincible for $15,000,' Ball said. 'We got him about a year ago and he's been a handy little horse for us. 'I think he won at Grafton before I had him and he's had a few more runs at the track so he knows it well. 'With the drop in grade and Matty going on board, I reckon he'll run a good race. 'He should be nearing his top after two runs now this time in so hopefully he can break through for a win for us.' It's a capacity field for Where's The Fire's race with 16 acceptances including two emergencies for the 1100m contest. JETT HATTON'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 1 No. 12: ARCHIE MAXIMUS Forgive his last start run at Coffs Harbour when nothing went his way. Well placed to bounce back. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 5: LOVE RAT Never got a clear shot last start. With some luck he can bounce back. VALUE BET Race 5 No. 4: XTRA APPROVAL Good weight drop off his last start run at the provincials. Enjoys the drop back in trip too, QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 4 Race 5: 1, 2, 4 Race 6: 2, 6, 12 Race 7: 1, 2, 6, 10 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW MATTHEW MCGUREN rides in all seven races on the card and has a couple winning chances. INSIDE MAIL - GRAFTON Be forgiving of the last start effort of ARCHIE MAXIMUS (12). Had some trouble at the start and on the heavy track, he couldn't get into it. Was also checked on the turn. Can bounce back here and break the maiden. JACOB'S WELL (1) comes out of three provincial maidens. First-up for the new stable and the blinkers come off. ZAINDARA (14) is the stablemate of Archie Maximus. The fact Matt McGuren is booked for that horse and the apprentice is on Zaindara is a lead. Bet: Archie Maximus to win. â– â– â– â– â– WITH STYLE (3) has had one start for one win and it was at this track. She's now with Chris and Corey Munce and has looked good at her two trials leading into her first-up run. Tricky barrier but looks classy. MISS WATERLINE (2) ran at Eagle Farm last start. Was wide throughout and drawn out again here so will need some luck. SNOW FALCON (1) is going better than the formguide would suggest. Blinkers come off with the winkers applied. Bet: With Style to win. â– â– â– â– â– RACE 3: Hooked On Seafood (Bm58) 1100m LOVE RAT (5) never got a clear shot at them last time out at Coffs Harbour in a decent race. Can position closer to the speed from barrier two and be in the finish. FULL REGALIA (9) can sprint well first-up from a spell. She's done so in the past and can do so again here. The easier race will suit WHERE'S THE FIRE (3) from Tony Ball's stable. Should be peaking third-up into his campaign. BUSH WARRIOR (12) goes into the numbers as well. Bet: Love Rat to win. â– â– â– â– â– RACE 4: Maclean Hotel (Bm58) 3120m Not too often you see a 3120m race in country NSW. WILL TO EXCEL (1) isn't getting any younger as a nine-year-old but showed last start that he's in good form with a third at Mudgee. Drawn to do no work from the inside barrier. SMELTER (6) will handle the distance. Was a three length winner over 2450m at Beaudesert back in May 26. Bet: Will To Excel to win. â– â– â– â– â– XTRA APPROVAL (4) gets a nice weight drop off his last start run at Hawkesbury when up to 1600m. Will enjoy stepping back in trip to 1400m and he is drawn to get every chance from barrier six with Shae Wilkes on board. AFRICAN DAISY (2) is the proven horse here, given she's a last start winner at Rosehill. Has to carry the big weight but certainly has a class edge. MATTER OF HONOUR (1) has raced at Randwick his last five starts, so Grafton is certainly a change of scenery. WILD CHAP (3) is a Group 3 winner way back when. Needs to improve but finds an easier race. Bet: Xtra Approval each-way. â– â– â– â– â– Not the easiest race to dissect given the record of some of these horses. Thought FLEE WITH MEE (2) would appreciate the easy contest. She went close a few starts back and the booking of Matt McGuren suits for this race. Awkward barrier but think she's the best horse in the race. IMMORTELLE (6) should get the run of the race and so often in these open affairs, that's the winning factor. STAR OF KONGO (12) is a 21 start maiden but is knocking on the door for that fist win. Honest on pace effort off a six week freshen up last start and should only improve off that. Bet: Flee With Me to win. â– â– â– â– â–
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Don Diego De Vega wins drama-filled Grafton Cup
There was no shortage of drama in the 2025 renewal of Thursday's $200,000 Grafton Cup (2350m). Race favourite Bear On The Loose was scratched just before the field was set to jump while second favourite Quietness ran off the track in the concluding stages and cost itself the race. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Quietness led the field of 12 and travelled strongly into the home bend before wandering about and opening the door for Don Diego De Vega to snatch the victory. Don Diego De Vega, trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, also found his way into the centre of the track under Zac Lloyd after coming from closer to the fence but didn't impede the run of any other horses in doing so. DON DIEGO DE VEGA wins the Grafton Cup! @ZacLloydx gets the best out of the @ANeashamRacing grey to take out the @clarenceriverjc 's feature race, running down Quietness with Zoology in third. @tabcomau — Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 17, 2025 It gives Lloyd his first win in the day two feature and he admitted he had to change plans after Bear On The Loose was a late withdrawal. 'My plan sort of changed in the barriers when Bear On The Loose got scratched as one of the speed runners in the race,' Lloyd said. 'Going to the gates he was full of energy so I was confident he was going to begin well and once he did that it made my job pretty easy. 'Got the perfect run behind Quietness and obviously it rolled off the fence and my bloke shot through. 'I probably should have changed my whip when he ran out but he was in front and it didn't matter.' Quietness fought back but was unable to bridge back the margin after losing all of its momentum and finished second for John O'Shea and Tom Charlton. Queensland raider Zoology ran on for third spot while Touristic was fourth.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Sha Of Gomer wins Ramornie Handicap to create Australian racing history for husband and wife Jeff Dunn and Rikki Jamieson
The husband-and-wife team of Jeff Dunn and Rikki Jamieson created Australian racing history on Wednesday when they combined with Sha Of Gomer to win the $200,000 Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton. Never before in Australian racing has a husband and wife trained and ridden the same horse to win a stakes race in Australia. Dunn, a former stunt performer on horseback, celebrated the biggest win of his short career when Jamison produced Sha Of Gomer in the straight and the horse surged clear under the urgings of his wife. Sha Of Gomer ($10) defeated Compelling Truth ($4 fav) by 1¼ lengths with a half-length back to Barber ($6) in third. 'It's absolutely huge,' Dunn said. 'What a thrill to win such a special race. 'I'm overwhelmed with the support that we've had with this horse. To win this race is really special for us. 'This would have been great for me but it will never be surpassed in my career. 'I can't believe it's happened and it's really special to share it with Rikki. 'As long as she remembers who's boss, we're all good.' Sha Of Gomer powers away and wins the Ramornie! ðŸ�† Rikki Jamieson and Jeff Dunn combine for a dominant win! ðŸ'� — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 16, 2025 Sha Of Gomer was formerly trained by Australia's premier trainer Chris Waller and found his way into Dunn's Beaudesert stable in April. The gelding went close three runs back when narrowly beaten in the Eye Liner at Ipswich but Wednesday's win provided Dunn with Jamieson with what the jockey described as 'the highlight' of her career. 'Doing it with Jeff is such a thrill,' Jamieson said. 'He's just beginning his career and needs a few more decent horses so to get a result like this is a big thing. 'He trains so well, we work really well as a team, we have great staff at the moment, everything's working really well.'
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Grafton, Kembla best bets, inside mail for Thursday, July 17, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and analysis of the quaddie legs at Grafton and Kembla on Thursday. • â– â– â– â– â– GRAFTON TIPS BEST BET Race 7 No.7: QUIETNESS Good in both Australian starts. Up to her right distance. NEXT BEST Resumed with a nice win and drawn to go back-to-back. VALUE BET Race 1 No.6: SO ROSIE Handy run last star after being hampered. Extra distance suits. QUADDIE Race 5: 3, 5, 10, 17 Race 6: 4, 5, 13 Race 7: 1, 7, 13 Race 8: 2, 3, 4, 6 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW With a solid book of rides, ASHLEY MORGAN will be popular in the TAB Jockey Challenge. GRAFTON INSIDE MAIL PORT ERIN (3) has been forced to go back to near last from wide gates before closing strongly when a length fourth at the Gold Coast and coming long the fence when third at Eagle Farm. Can settle closer from the inside gate. BOAMBEE BEACH (10) raced three-wide with cover and ran on nicely for a three-quarter-length Tryanza over 1175m here 11 days ago. Drawn better this time and meets him 3kg better. TRYANZA (17) carried 54.5kg after the claim when he led all the way. Up to 59.5kg here. BET: PORT ERIN to win. RACE 6: COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 6 SHOWCASE PLATE (1175m) EMPEROR (5) was 25 days between runs when he came from last to be fourth behind Taltarni Fields under 61.5kg at Ipswich on June 6. Was bumped at the start and settled back before storming home to win over 1110m at Eagle Farm. GODFATHER (13) was held up rounding the home turn when a length third to King Yoshi at the Sunshine Coast first-up. Jockey stopped riding the last 50m in restricted room when fifth at Eagle Farm last start. BRAVELY (4) dropped back in grade to win at Murwillumbah last start. BET: EMPEROR to win. QUIETNESS (7) was doing her best work late when third to Loch Eagle over 1600m at Randwick at her Australian debut. Stepped up to 2100m when a length second to Miss Joelene in the Listed Tatts Gold Crown at Eagle Farm. Her best European form was between 2300m and 2400m. DILLIAN (13) will find this a little easier than his recent assignments. Has been unlucky in his last three starts and could have finished in the placings in a couple of them with fortune on his side. Won smartly over 2400m at Eagle Farm in April. BELEVEDERE BOYS (1) and BEAR ON THE LOOSE (5) have strong claims. BET: QUIETNESS to win. BURNING BELL (3) resumes off two good trials. Has a win and three placings from four first-up runs. Is a winner here. TWO YA GOT (2) won nicely over 1200m at the Gold Coast on June 7 before dropping back to 1000m when second there two weeks later after racing wide with cover. Boxed on for third there last start. OUTISHKA (4) has been freshened since her Gunnedah win. Blinkers go on. BET: BURNING BELL to win. â– â– â– â– â– KEMBLA TIPS BEST BET Race 8 No.3: CROSS TASMAN Appreciated a step up in trip to win last start. Go close again. NEXT BEST Runner-up when resuming last campaign. Can go one better first-up here. KEMBLA INSIDE MAIL RACE 5: MIDWAY 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m) FIREWORK (1) resumes from a spell off a handy second in his Hawkesbury trial. Kicked off last campaign with a second to Fly Scotty Fly at Wyong before a second to Money Team. DENIAL (2) makes his NSW debut for a new stable. Runner-up at Horsham at his last run in April. Sat outside the leader before racing away to win his July 1 Kembla trial. INITIATE (5) chased home Divo at Wyong before a third to Capital Jacinta last start. BET: FIREWORK to win. ZARAGOZA (4) was good winning over 1000m here on May 17 on a Soft 7. Followed up with a second to Be Quiet and a third to Romeo's Choice in BM72 at Warwick Farm on heavy ground. Back in grade and gets a firmer track. THE EXTREME CAT (3) went back from a wide gate before making ground when ninth behind Motoscafo in a Midway at Rosehill first-up. Will appreciate a drop back to provincial grade and can get back to form. IRISH BLISS (6) is first-up for a new stable. Goes well fresh. BET: ZARAGOZA to win. SUPER SUGOI (7) was OK in his first two runs over shorter distances. Went back from a wide gate before working home for third to Dubai Warrior over 1600m at Wyong. Will give a bold sight from the inside gate. AUTUMN DREAM (3) returned with a third to My Mate Kate at Newcastle before a three length seventh to Heaven Bound at Hawkesbury. Blinkers on for the first time and will make her presence felt. SACRO CATINO (2) is much better than his last start failure at Randwick. Don't dismiss. BET: SUPER SUGOI each-way. CROSS TASMAN (3) battled away when fourth to Duke Of Arrakis on debut on the Kensington. Took improvement from the experience and appreciate a step up in trip with a nice win over Cinsault at Hawkesbury. DIMITROV (1) placed in four of his first five starts before breaking through with a big win from Pasima over 1400m at Warwick Farm on Jan 26. Will give a big sight first-up. LA BELLA BONDI (10) raced very well last campaign with a fourth and three consecutive placings before ending her preparation with a handy win at Newcastle. Nice third to In Flight in her July 1 Kembla trial.
