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

9 hours ago 4

By Neil Evans

July 16, 2025 — 4.45pm

Track good 4 and rail true.

RACE 1

4. Leica Model is terrific value in an open race dropping back to fillies and mares company after finishing well in deeper grade first up at Tamworth. Given three weeks between runs to suit her sparingly raced pattern, and she will relish the longer trip. 6. So Rosie is an improver and over the odds third up. 1. Tara Jasmine is an ageing and now Queensland-based mare that has not won for a while, but showing signs of getting back to her best as a younger horse. 7. Yellowhammer has been finding the line all prep in deeper races, but overdue for a third career win. 3. Suzuki normally takes a run or two to hit her straps, but still a market watch resuming from the inside draw. 2. Decisive Lass, third up with a significant jockey change, and 8. Spirits Burn Deep, hitting peak fitness fifth up, go into trifecta and first-four plays.
How to play it: Leica Model to win.

Bear On The Loose (centre) is narrowly beaten by Sir Lucan in the Winter Cup. Bear On The Loose looks well placed to claim the feature Grafton Cup for the Waterhouse-Bott stable.

RACE 2

3. Punch One Out is ready to win again deep into the prep, and is well placed in a race lacking depth. Leading jockey takes over on a timely 2kg weight drop. 10. Dernier Lien is an emerging filly and the clear threat having bypassed Wednesday’s meeting for this. Gets in light after the 2kg claim. Be surprised if the winner comes from outside those two, but 2. Give Me Joy, despite drawing the outside barrier, is progressive enough getting over more ground, while 4. Monarch Express is over the odds fourth up after an even effort in the Guineas Prelude.
How to play it: Punch One Out to win.

RACE 3

3. What A Gent is a lightly raced provincial three-year-old that can strike first up in his second campaign. Given plenty of time after three fair closing efforts in better maidens late last year, and has looked strong in two progressive trials, winning the latest on the Beaumont track. 2. Master Artist is lightly raced and right in the contest after a solid closing run first up, with a senior NSW country hoop taking over. 12. Ol’ Mate Coop is clear next best second up from a lovely trailing draw. Big gap to the rest headed by 10. Totally Underrated, which also draws to get a soft run.
How to play it: What A Gent to win.

RACE 4

3. Herman Said, a well-bred gelding by Exceedance with the Kris Lees yard at Newcastle, is poised to claim the battle of the two-year-olds. Impressed with a dominant debut win at Scone as a hot favourite 24 days ago. 1. Albany Road is also drawn to find cover, and right in the hunt third up in his first full prep for a leading Sydney stable. 12. Steffi Electrica is a Gold Coast filly coming off a dominant third-up maiden win at this track. 2. Exoflow is promising and ran them off their feet here first up only 11 days ago. 5. Lord Of Flames, a colt by Dracarys on debut for the Matthew Dunn stable behind two trials, and 7. Come On Glamour second up can both run into the minor money.
How to play it: Herman Said to win.

RACE 5

5. Enterprise Legend is a tough sprinter, and shapes nicely to go back-to-back second up rising in grade. Dominated from barrier to box in a BM58 when fresh. 3. Port Erin is another Queensland visitor preferred here to a class 2 at Wednesday’s meeting. Very fit and drops in grade. 1. Tryanza is a betting watch 11 days after an all-the-way first-up win in class 3 company here. 10. Boambee Beach is over the odds from a low draw deep into her prep.
How to play it: Enterprise Legend to win.

RACE 6

4. Bravely is a progressive four-year-old that can make it three wins from five this prep, and lead in a Dunn stable domination. Swept home to win a BM66 at home three weeks ago. Stablemate 13. Godfather comes back to a very winnable race after doing his best work late in a deeper affair at Eagle Farm second up. 5. Emperor is the third of the Dunn-trained chances. Finished best to claim a BM70 at Doomben last start. 6. Power Beau is a mile over the odds fresh and a worthy inclusion in wider exotics, while 7. Volcanic Love is down in grade and can run in to the minor money.
How to play it: Bravely to win.

Race 7

5. Bear On The Loose is a tough on-speed five-year-old well placed to claim the feature Grafton Cup for the Waterhouse-Bott stable. Was only edged out late in consecutive Saturday affairs up to listed level before heading north and ran home OK behind a dominant winner in the listed Caloundra Cup 12 days ago. 1. Belvedere Boys has a 40 per cent winning strike rate from 16 starts and is ready to peak third up. 3. Glory Daze is a sparingly raced import that stuck on well into a place in a metro race off a four-week freshen up. Imported mare 7. Quietness has produced two eye-catching runs to open her Australian campaign and looking for this longer trip. 9. Don Diego De Vega is an each-way chance having been luckless in his past two. 2. Touristic was a listed winner at Rosehill three starts back and can sneak into the minor money.
How to play it: Bear On The Loose to win.

Race 8

3. Burning Bell is a smart and sparingly raced Gold Coast mare that looms as the one to beat resuming off two forward trials. 4. Outishka is another sharp performer first up with blinkers going on. Has won seven from 20, three times over this distance, and trialled strongly. 8. Bomarea is a big market watch fresh off a dominant trial win. 6. Mabel is a talented mare coming off a tidy closing run first up in a BM78, while 7. Bring Me Kash, off a nine-week break, is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Burning Bell to win.