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

Selections based on a good track.

Race 1

10. Frictional Force comes into this after two placings at his latest two starts at this track and then at Casino in a small field. He looks suited by this distance and should perform well. 1. Bow Tie Affair hasn’t been beaten far in each of four runs since resuming from a spell and a forward showing is on the cards in this on the back of those efforts. 2. Divine Effort has a sound record with a win at this track in April and his runs since then have been sound. 3. Kiss ’D Dance had been thereabouts before a last-start failure and is worth another chance here.

How to play it: Frictional Force EACH WAY.

Race 2

3. Didie’s Meadow has had two starts and has finished in the placings in both of them. She ran second at this track on debut and then ran third at Lismore and was then spelled. She’s had two trials leading into this and looks the one to beat. 1. Secessionist is on debut here after a second in a Coffs Harbour trial and bears close watching leading into this. 12. So Sain is resuming from a spell and was thereabouts before the break. She’s an easy Casino trial winner in preparation for this. 8. I Am Steffi was down the track at the Sapphire Coast last time out but can improve sharply on that in this event.

How to play it: Didie’s Meadow WIN.

Race 3

4. Steffi Electrica has had two starts back from a spell for a seventh at the Gold Coast and then a close-up third at Ipswich when last produced. She’s a handy filly with a solid record and there’s no reason she shouldn’t be in the finish of this. 6. Autumngirl has a win and two placings from 13 starts and wasn’t far away a last-start fifth at the Gold Coast when last produced. 2. Constellation resumes from a spell on the back of a second in a Murwillumbah trial and has the talent to give this a shake 8. Vantante is fresh for this and can lift on her latest two starts before being spelled.

How to play it: Steffi Electria WIN.

Race 4

4. Redland Bay comes into this on the back of a last-start second at Inverell when not beaten far. He’s drawn well here and gets his chance to break through at his fourth start in a race. 2. Goodonya Ausbred has had two starts and finished second in each of them at Coffs Harbour. He’s a progressive type that should be in the thick of things based on that form. 3. Habib Albi has finished third in two of his last three starts at Port Macquarie and isn’t out of this. 12. Miss Midas Touch ran well when a last-start second at has place claims again.

How to play it: Redland Bay WIN.

Race 5

1. Think Like Paddy resumed from a spell with a midfield effort at the Gold Coast. He’s a winner of two from 12 starts and has the services of Nash Rawiller in this event. He only needs to run up to his best form to be hard to hold out in this. 4. Archie Maximus has been racing well with two wins from his past three starts, and another bold showing is on the cards. 5. Beer Baron was down the track here last week but can lift on that. 3. Jukebox In Siberia was a winner at this track in April when last produced and has the talent to make an impact.

How to play it: Think Like Paddy WIN.

Race 6

10. Mr Chaplin is an import that was backed off the map at his Australian debut and got the job done well when getting clear late and hitting the line well to score a strong win. He backed that up with another solid effort at Rosehill when finishing third at Rosehill behind Emirate. He can bounce back in this. 7. Hollywood Hero got through and looked the winner only to be overpowered late at Rosehill when last produced. He’s drawn wide here but can figure in the finish again. 1. War Eternal has been racing in great form having on three on end at Doomben and two at Eagle Farm before a last-start second behind Sun God at Eagle Farm. This looks well within reach. 2. Midnight Dynamite has an outstanding record with eight wins and seven placings from 21 starts and can figure here despite the wide draw.

How to play it: Mr Chaplin WIN.

Race 7

10. Bails is lightly raced with five starts to her name for two wins and a second placing. She resumed with a down the track effort at the Gold Coast and wasn’t too far away in that event and this should be an easier assignment. 9. Vixenette wasn’t beaten far at Ipswich when last produced and was close-up at Murwillumbah before that. She should be thereabouts despite the wide alley. 2. Spills is an on-pace runner that can give cheek, while 4. Lady Alabama has been racing well and shouldn’t be far away on the strength of that recent form.

How to play it: Bails EACH WAY.

Best Bets: Race 4 (1) Think Like Paddy.

Race 6 (10) Mr Chaplin.

Best Value: Race 7 (10) Bails.

Supplied by Racing NSW