John Schell's tips for Grafton (Saturday - NRRA Country Championships)

Selections based on a soft track

Race 1 - 1:25PM LISMORE WORKERS CLUB SHOWCASE BM58 HANDICAP (2120 METRES)

1. Always Hunting was a winner over a staying trip three starts ago and comes into this on the back of a last start third. He is normally thereabouts and handles all track conditions. He gets his chance to score another win in this.

Dangers4. Mount Zion wasn't disgraced when midfield at Eagle Farm when last produced and comes into this with solid claims. 7. Subversive  is a last start winner and only needs to run up to that effort to be a leading contender again. 6. I'Mtimmyzou comes into this on the back of a last start second at Murwillumbah and looks suited by the step up in distance.

How to play it: Always Hunting WIN.

Race 2 - 2:00PM EAST LISMORE HOCKEY CLUB MAIDEN PLATE (1106 METRES)

9. Top Act is a filly on debut for trainer Matthew Dunn and she's been fitted for this with a couple of recent trials in which she's performed well. Ben Looker takes the ride and she should be primed to run a bold race.

Dangers6. Fools Play has been placed in three of her four starts and has the advantage of barrier one in this. Expect her to figure prominently. 1. Cannon has had one run since joining the new stable and he was placed in that event. He's shown enough talent to be considered a leading contender. 2. Kid Billy has been placed in both of his starts and resumes from a spell here.

How to play it: Top Act WIN.

Race 3 - 2:35PM LISMORE STORM WARATAH WOMENS BASKETBALL C1 (1106 METRES)

3. Bravely was resuming from a spell when he justified a short quote to score in maiden grade at just his third start. He looks to have plenty of upside and can go on with the job here.

Dangers1. Zelgaria won an Eagle Farm maiden at his second start and was then unplaced in a couple of Doomben runs before being spelled. He resumes here and has had a couple of trials to prepare for this. 6. Jewels Statement has only had one start and that resulted in a win as favourite at Ballina. She can run well again despite the rise in grade. 4. Supidoman has been placed in each of his last three starts either side of a spell and can figure in the minor money again.

How to play it: Bravely WIN.

Race 4 - 3:10PM LISMORE THISTLES SOCCER CLUB MAIDEN PLATE (1410 METRES)

7. Saxon Brave has been placed in four of his eight starts and was resuming from a spell when a last start second at Murwillumbah. He is ready to win.

Dangers8. A Notion has hit her straps with placings in her latest two starts at Coffs Harbour and Taree. She should run well again with a repeat of those efforts. 11. Shines Bright has only been placed in one of her 11 starts and that was at Coffs Harbour two starts ago. She could be placed again if the breaks go her way from the wide alley. 4. The Riddler has had three runs back from a spell and should be ready to produce his best now having finished midfield in each of his latest two starts.

How to play it: Saxon Brave WIN.

Race 5 - 3:45PM DALEYS NETBALL SHOWCASE SUPER MAIDEN HANDICAP (1206 METRES)

3. Last Line Dance has only had one start and she performed well in that when running second at Murwillumbah. She's drawn well here and should give a bold sight again.

Dangers1. Aussie Turbo debuted with a second at the Sunshine Coast more than a year ago and has had two trials leading into this return. He looms as one of the hardest to beat. 8. Shez Lethal ran well when a last start second at Coffs Harbour and she can be thereabouts again with a repeat. 14. Matsuyama is yet to be placed from six starts but resumed with a handy effort and can sneak into the minor money here.

How to play it: Last Line Dance EACH WAY.

Race 6 - 4:20PM MARIST BROTHERS RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB BM8 HANDICAP (1410 METRES)

14. Maurizma was second-up from a spell when breaking her maiden at Ballina in good fashion last time out. She can go on with the job now she's broken through.

Dangers9. Boulanger resumed with a maiden win at Murwillumbah and has since been disappointing at Coffs Harbour before running an improved fourth at Ballina last time out. He has sound claims here. 11. Intentional Lass has a handy record with a win and five placings from nine starts and should run well in this while fresh. 2. Metal Rock resumes with a win at Gatton then was midfield at that track at his only run since. He has solid place claims in this.

How to play it: Maurizma WIN.

Race 7 - 5:00PM RODNEY LEES CABINETMAKING SHOWCASE BM66 (1106 METRES)

5. The Hanger Cat won a couple on end at Dubbo and Tamworth last May and June then was placed at Scone and Moree before being spelled. He resumed with a last start third when beaten less than a length as favourite and can be in the thick of things in this with a repeat of that performance.

Dangers6. Zanardee's Lane has a great record with two wins and five placings from just nine starts and has had two trials leading into this return to racing. He should take plenty of beating. 11. Lady Falvelon has a good record and should be primed to run well after two runs back from a spell. 3. Gobbled won at Armidale two starts ago and resumes from a spell in this. He could sneak into the placings if at his best.

How to play it: The Hanger Cat WIN.

Race 8 - 5:40PM NEWHAVEN PARK NRRA COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS (1410 METRES)

4. Rainbow Connection has a sense of timing about him. Improved on a first-up ninth at Doomben to score a victory at Ipswich when justified an odds-on quote. Since raced on the speed and fought on to be beaten less than a length when finishing third at Eagle Farm. Has a wide alley to contend with but is a versatile type and expect him to be in the thick of things at the business end.

Dangers1. Emperor is a highly promising galloper which has four wins to his name from 12 starts and comes into this on the back of a last start second at Eagle Farm. He's a city winner over shorter distances and has the advantage of gate one here which should give him every chance to run out the trip. He's one of the leading contenders. 13. Fairway Choice is a talented mare with three wins to her name from just four starts. Won on debut in good style at Murwillumbah then was midfield at Doomben before bouncing back to score at Grafton. Won a trial leading into resuming effort and that resulted in another win when hit the line well at Eagle Farm. Stablemate of Far Too Easy and is on the rise. One of the top chances. 5. Tribeca Star powered home to win at Rosehill back in November and then was just behind the placings in runs at Kembla Grange and Eagle Farm. Since hit the line well again to finish second at Eagle Farm and has been kept up to the mark for this with a Murwillumbah trial win. With any luck at all he should take a power of beating.

How to play it: Rainbow Connection EACH WAY.


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