Race-by-race preview and tips for Friday’s meeting at Lismore

1 hour ago 1

By John Schell

September 25, 2025 — 4.25pm

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

1. Dundee Tales had finished second in a couple of starts at Taree and Grafton before being ridden quietly at Grafton last time out and coming with a well-timed run to break his maiden. He shows some ability and looks capable of going in with the job in this. 2. Jimmy Nails was just worse than midfield at Grafton two starts ago, then followed that up with a third at Beaudesert when on the speed throughout. This is not out of his reach. 5. Rock The Machine has been placed in each of his past three starts and can easily get into the minor money again with a repeat, while 9. Shine Like It Does was midfield at Grafton before a last-start third at the same track, and she warrants respect.
How to play it: Dundee Tales each way.

Race 2

2. Sherriff Cody is a consistent performer that followed two placings at Grafton with another two minor placings at Coffs Harbour and Murwillumbah. He is racing well and should take a power of beating in this. 1. Chassagne resumed from a spell with a fast-finishing fifth at Doomben and steps up quickly in distance. 5. Caracoron won well at Murwillumbuh two starts back when accounting for Sherriff Cody and looms as a chance if he can run up to that. 7. Spill The Secret was placed behind Caracoron at Murwillumbah and comes into this after a third at this track.
How to play it: Sherriff Cody each way.

Race 3

5. Warrior Bae is lightly raced with four starts to his name and has not been disgraced in two runs from a spell, finishing sixth in the latest at Grafton. This looks a nice race for him. 2. Icewater ran home well enough when fifth at this track at its latest start and warrants thought, while 7. Kemal comes into this after a last-start fourth at Coffs Harbour and is far from the worst. 1. Cassini has been improving of late and can run a forward race.
How to play it: Warrior Bae to win.

Race 4

1. Maximum Vortex is a classy sprinter returning from a let-up here having failed in the much tougher Ramornie Handicap at Grafton in July. He’s won a trial at this track in preparation for this and has won seven of 24 starts. He has the class to win this. 2. King Of Naples resumed from a spell for a new stable with a solid second at the Gold Coast. He has the talent to show up again here. 3. The Astronomer ran third in the same race as King Of Naples at the Gold Coast and warrants thought again. 4. Skywolf has a solid record and wasn’t far away when a last-start third at Coffs Harbour.
How to play it: Maximum Vortex to win.

Race 5

12. Symo’s Boy made his debut at the Gold Coast earlier this month and performed well to finish second. He raced on the speed in that event and has drawn to get a good run again in this. 13. Too Hot To Torque is a stablemate of Symo’s Boy that ran fourth on debut at this track and bears close watching. 1. Betta Than Presley has been placed in four of five starts and only has to overcome the wide gate to be a factor. 7. Gold Puma ran a place last start at Grafton and is worth including among the chances.
How to play it: Symo’s Boy to win.

Race 6

9. Sands Of Omaha was on debut at this track two weeks ago and did the job well as favourite to score. She’s drawn well here and has the advantage of the apprentice claim. 8. Headstrong resumed from a spell with a dominant win here as favourite when last produced and can go on with the job. 11. Celebrity Torque won on debut at Grafton when racing on the speed and holding on well. 10. Oval Office was a winner on the Sunshine Coast on debut, then ran seventh at Doomben. He resumes here after two trials.
How to play it: Sands Of Omaha to win.

Race 7

6. Wild Chap has been a consistent performer for a number of years and has been racing well of late, having won at Newcastle before a second at this track last time out. 7. Anythink Goes has been racing well in city grade of late and looms as a leading contender in this grade. 1. Cranky Harry dominated from on the speed when scoring in the Murwillumbah Cup at his last start and can back that up despite a wide gate. 3. At Witz End comes into this after a couple of Brisbane runs and has the ability to make an impression.
How to play it: Wild Chap each way.

Race 8

3. Intoxel has not been beaten far in two runs back from a spell, at Beaudesert and Grafton. The good draw here brings him right into calculations. 9. Got The Smarts has been racing well with a couple of recent placings and only needs to hold that form to be a factor again. 12. Vetoed was placed here last time out and can get into the minor money again. 4. Our Silver Linings was disappointing at Grafton when last produced but can improve here.
How to play it: Intoxel each way.