The time-honoured Grafton Cup will headline Day 4 of the Grafton Racing Carnival where eight races will be run and won.
With a prize pool of $200k, the Listed feature will once again see a quality field vie for honours.
I’ve had close look at each event on the card, and you can find my detailed selections below in my Grafton Cup Day Preview.
So Rosie has been victorious in three of her past four runs and she’s sure to make her presence felt here.
The five year old daughter of Sooboog took a while to break through but has thrived under the care of Sue Grills.
Sent to the paddock after recording back to back wins, she retuned in top order to score over 1000m at Tamworth.
Out to 1115m here last start, she settled midfield and hit the line strongly late to claim fourth so the rise 1400m looks ideal in the first on Grafton Cup Day.
1 unit – SO ROSIE
Dernier Lien closed off strongly to get her maiden win on the board when resuming at Murwillumbah and I think she can go on with it.
The Matthew Dunn trained filly had just had the one start prior and it was a solid effort finish third at her home track back in December.
Both of runs have been over 1100m and she way she’s hit the line on each occasion suggests she’ll relish stepping out to this tip.
With Jett Newman’s claim she gets in beautifully on just 53.5kg and the low draw will see her enjoy a soft run throughout.
2 units – DERNIER LIN
What A Gent will kick off his preparation and he looked sharp winning a recent Newcastle trial.
The son of D’Argento has filled the placings in two of his three starts and was lucky to stay on his feet after blundering badly at his only other outing.
The form around him is solid and he looks to have plenty of upside.
Aaron Bullock will do the steering for Tracey Bartley.
1 unit – WHAT A GENT
Albany Road has yet to figure in the finish in three career starts but he’s sure to find this easier than what he’s previously contested.
A son of Exceed And Excel, the Waterhouse / Bott trained colt made his debut over 1000m at Randwick back in December and after pulling up with heat stress he was sent to the paddock.
Resuming on the Kensington last month, he took up the running over 1150m but just felt the pinch late.
He produced an improved performance last time at Hawkesbury, settling well back over the 1000m, he finished off strongly into fourth.
He presents here at peak fitness, the rise to 1175m will suit and he draws to receive all the favours under Blake Shinn.
2 units – ALBANY ROAD
Port Erin hasn’t been far away in all four runs this preparation and looks to have found a winnable race.
He didn’t have the best of luck two runs back at the Gold Coast, always wide he loomed to win 100m out but just peaked on his run late.
Last start, over the 1000m at Eagle Farm he settled back second last off the outside alley and made good ground along the rail to finish third.
He looks nicely placed here and the inside draw can see him settle in striking distance for Jag Guthmann-Chester.
1 unit – PORT ERIN
Godfather has been solid in two runs back this campaign and looks ready to peak third up.
A stakes winner on debut, the I Am Invincible gelding has always shown plenty of ability but failed to live up to early expectations.
He recorded his second career victory when resuming for the new stable last preparation and he looks to have returned in good order this time in.
He’s fit and the low draw will see him afforded every chance under Ash Morgan.
1 unit – GODFATHER
Don Diego De Vega didn’t have the easiest of runs last start in the Caloundra Cup but stuck on gamely to hold fourth.
Caught wide in the early part, he was pushed forward to take up running before the halfway mark but was left flat footed when they began to make their runs.
The former French galloper had finished off strongly in his two runs prior and at his fourth run this campaign, he presents here in peak order.
Zac Lloyd takes over the steering for team Archibald and if he can slot in and find cover early, I think he’ll prove too strong for them late in the 2025 Grafton Cup.
1 unit – DON DIEGO DE VEGA
Burning Bell resumes and the mare has yet to miss a top three spot in four first up appearances.
A six time winner, the daughter of Bel Esprit has proven herself a very handy mare and she boasts solid form around her.
She looks ready to fire off two recent trials and draws to get the right run for Zac Lloyd, who takes the reins for his old boss Toby Edmonds.
1 unit – BURNING BELL