Race-by-race preview and tips for Grafton on Sunday

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

6. Time Has Come is a local that is on debut after running second in a trial at this track and has the advantage of barrier one. He looks primed to run a bold race. 1. Fierce Fire is also on debut and is a stablemate of Time Has Come and accounted for it when stepping out for his second trial. 12. Zee Fire is having her first start and ran well in her only trial against more seasoned gallopers. 16. Flying Scarlett debuted with a sixth at the Gold Coast and should have derived benefit from that outing.

How to play it: Time Has Come EACH WAY.

Race 2

5. Sheriff’s Star has been racing well with a couple of second placings from his past two starts. He’s had plenty of chances but should press forward in this and take plenty of running down. 9. Kiwi Harmony has been placed in four of 12 starts and comes into this after a midfield Taree effort last time out. She should get every chance from barrier one. 10. Pressipitating hasn’t been too far away in recent runs and could get into the money without surprising. 4. Play It Cool was a last-start fourth at Coffs Harbour and could show up on that effort.

How to play it: Sheriff’s Star WIN.

Race 3

1. Swag is a talented performer at best and has been racing well against tougher opposition. He was a last-start third at Doomben and that form looks good for a race like this. 5. Russiantothepost was an Ipswich winner at her second start and comes here after a last-start third at the Sunshine Coast in February. She should sprint well fresh. 2. Clive’s Glory has a Sunshine Coast win and a placing to his name from seven starts and is a recent trial winner. 3. Need For Spieth won at Toowoomba when last produced and is worth thought.

How to play it: Swag WIN.

Race 4

8. Copperline has had two starts back from a spell and has looked good winning each of them at Scone. He’s drawn an awkward alley in this but has the speed to overcome that and should take plenty of beating again. 6. Somerton Smart won his first two start and has had three runs back from a spell for two fifths and a last-start fifth at Gosford. This looks within his capabilities. 5. Their Finest Hour has been racing well with two straight wins and can go on with the job, while 10. Enniroc is a last-start winner at this track and has claims.

How to play it: Copperline WIN.

Race 5

4. Spenzalot finished off well to score a last-start Tamworth win when stepping up in distance and only needs to repeat that performance to be the one to hold out again in this. 1. Diablo Bolt has been taking on tougher opposition and will find this a more suitable assignment and can improve. 3. Ring Ahoy won at this track two starts ago and has claims again based on that effort. 6. Brilliant Knight is a last-start Port Macquarie placegetter that could run well again.

How to play it: Spenzalot WIN.

Race 6

1. My Mum’s Toyboy has an imposing record with nine wins from 17 starts and resumed from a spell with a dominant win at Port Macquarie. He won three on end before the break and can continue the winning run in this. 2. Voracious is resuming and has had a trial leading into this. He has a consistent record. 3. Tectonic Plate is drawn wide but is handy at best and should be finishing off hard. 8. What A Rush is a speedy type that can give cheek.

How to play it: My Mum’s Toyboy WIN.

Race 7

2. Here’s Beau debuted with a second at Murwillumbah and then backed that up with a second start win at Inverell in a small field. He’s on an upward spiral and gets his chance to go on with the job. 1. Permission Granted has had three starts back from a spell and can improve on his latest effort on a very heavy track at Ballina. 2. Booya Boy ran second at the Sunshine Coast two starts ago and has claims with a repeat of that performance. 4. The Dux Nuts was close-up when a last-start third at Tamworth and warrants respect.

How to play it: Here’s Beau EACH WAY.

Race 8

6. Haras has had three starts back from a spell and has performed well in each of them with a seventh at Scone and a second at Moree being followed by a last-start victory at Tamworth when racing on the speed and scoring with ease. She can go on with the job. 7. On My Command has a win and three placings from four starts and comes here after a last-start second at Inverell and warrants respect. 4. Red Spector has finished second and fourth in two runs at Taree since resuming from a spell and has the talent to give this a shake. 9. Our Sparky wasn’t beaten far at Casino last time out and has place claims.

How to play it: Haras WIN.

Best Bets: Race 4 (8) Copperline.

Race 8 (6) Haras.

Best Value: Race 7 (2) Here’s Beau.

Supplied by Racing NSW