Grafton preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 20, 2025

After a winless Grafton carnival, trainer Tony Ball returns with renewed confidence, aiming for victory in the Maclean Cup.

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Trainer Tony Ball was unable to get a winner on the board over the two day Grafton carnival but he’s hoping he can do so a few days later.

Ball makes the trip north again from Taree to Grafton with three horses in the float, all of which he’s got a good deal of confidence about.

The most interesting of Ball’s brigade comes up in the feature of the day with Xtra Approval getting a good drop in weight for the Maclean Cup (1400m).

The six-year-old son of Xtravagant found the 60kg at Hawkesbury last start a touch too tough but drops way down to 55kg with apprentice hoop Shae Wilkes in the saddle.

“It’s a nice race for him and he gets about 5kg off some of those horses in the race,” Ball said.

It's a hometown win in the Kempsey Cup! The Tony Ball-trained Xtra Approval roars clear with a visibly thrilled Siena Grima in the saddle 🏆 pic.twitter.com/jZaEZ1ddGg

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 8, 2024

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

“I thought he ran well at Hawkesbury the other day but just probably didn’t appreciate the weight on a heavy track.

“So he now goes down to 55kg with Shae (Wilkes) utilising her claim and I’d expect him to be hard to beat.”

Xtra Approval also finds his sweet spot at 1400m after running over the mile last time out.

“Getting back to 1400m probably suits him a bit too,” Ball said.

“He won a Kempsey Cup at the trip late last year and probably just found that mile a touch too far last start.”

Earlier in the card will see three-year-old filly Felasuvi have her third run for the stable after starting her career off in Victoria with Leon and Troy Corstens.

The daughter of Star Witness was eye catching at Coffs Harbour at her stable debut before finding a Class 1 a touch too tough at this track over the 1006m.

She now steps up to 1100m in the second race on the card and goes from a good track but to a rain affected one.

“She gets a senior rider on this week with Siena not there so Matty (McGuren) goes on and that should be good for her,” Ball said.

“With the way the race looks to play out, she’ll get the gun run from barrier four and get her chance.

Where's The Fire was too hot for his rivals under the urgings of @Aaronbullock90 for trainer Tony Ball at Taree 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6HqGjSwBAQ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 3, 2024

“If she’s good enough she’ll win but if she’s not, we’ll just have to go back to the drawing

board with her.

“But I’d expect her to go well and she’s pulled up a treat from last Sunday so no issues with the seven day back up for her.”

Thirty five minutes later will see Ball’s bargain buy Where’s The Fire look the break through for a win.

The five-year-old gelding would be the best bred galloper going around at Grafton being by I Am Invincible and out of a Snitzel mare.

“It’s not too often you get an I Am Invincible for $15,000,” Ball said.

“We got him about a year ago and he’s been a handy little horse for us.

“I think he won at Grafton before I had him and he’s had a few more runs at the track so he knows it well.

“With the drop in grade and Matty going on board, I reckon he’ll run a good race.

“He should be nearing his top after two runs now this time in so hopefully he can break through for a win for us.”

It’s a capacity field for Where’s The Fire’s race with 16 acceptances including two emergencies for the 1100m contest.

JETT HATTON’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 1 No. 12: ARCHIE MAXIMUS

Forgive his last start run at Coffs Harbour when nothing went his way. Well placed to bounce back.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No. 5: LOVE RAT

Never got a clear shot last start. With some luck he can bounce back.

VALUE BET

Race 5 No. 4: XTRA APPROVAL

Good weight drop off his last start run at the provincials. Enjoys the drop back in trip too,

QUADDIE

Race 4: 1, 4

Race 5: 1, 2, 4

Race 6: 2, 6, 12

Race 7: 1, 2, 6, 10

Jockey Matthew McGuren will be popular in the Jockey Challenge with a strong book of rides. Picture: Greg Irvine, Magic Millions

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

MATTHEW MCGUREN rides in all seven races on the card and has a couple winning chances.

INSIDE MAIL - GRAFTON

RACE 1: Andrew Tom Builder Pty Ltd Mdn Plate 1100m

Be forgiving of the last start effort of ARCHIE MAXIMUS (12). Had some trouble at the start and on the heavy track, he couldn’t get into it. Was also checked on the turn. Can bounce back here and break the maiden. JACOB’S WELL (1) comes out of three provincial maidens. First-up for the new stable and the blinkers come off. ZAINDARA (14) is the stablemate of Archie Maximus. The fact Matt McGuren is booked for that horse and the apprentice is on Zaindara is a lead.

Bet: Archie Maximus to win.

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RACE 2: Maclean Variety Meats (Bm58) 1100m

WITH STYLE (3) has had one start for one win and it was at this track. She’s now with Chris and Corey Munce and has looked good at her two trials leading into her first-up run. Tricky barrier but looks classy. MISS WATERLINE (2) ran at Eagle Farm last start. Was wide throughout and drawn out again here so will need some luck. SNOW FALCON (1) is going better than the formguide would suggest. Blinkers come off with the winkers applied.

Bet: With Style to win.

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RACE 3: Hooked On Seafood (Bm58) 1100m

LOVE RAT (5) never got a clear shot at them last time out at Coffs Harbour in a decent race. Can position closer to the speed from barrier two and be in the finish. FULL REGALIA (9) can sprint well first-up from a spell. She’s done so in the past and can do so again here. The easier race will suit WHERE’S THE FIRE (3) from Tony Ball’s stable. Should be peaking third-up into his campaign. BUSH WARRIOR (12) goes into the numbers as well.

Bet: Love Rat to win.

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RACE 4: Maclean Hotel (Bm58) 3120m

Not too often you see a 3120m race in country NSW. WILL TO EXCEL (1) isn’t getting any younger as a nine-year-old but showed last start that he’s in good form with a third at Mudgee. Drawn to do no work from the inside barrier. SMELTER (6) will handle the distance. Was a three length winner over 2450m at Beaudesert back in May 26.

Bet: Will To Excel to win.

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RACE 5: Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Cup 1400m

XTRA APPROVAL (4) gets a nice weight drop off his last start run at Hawkesbury when up to 1600m. Will enjoy stepping back in trip to 1400m and he is drawn to get every chance from barrier six with Shae Wilkes on board. AFRICAN DAISY (2) is the proven horse here, given she’s a last start winner at Rosehill. Has to carry the big weight but certainly has a class edge. MATTER OF HONOUR (1) has raced at Randwick his last five starts, so Grafton is certainly a change of scenery. WILD CHAP (3) is a Group 3 winner way back when. Needs to improve but finds an easier race.

Bet: Xtra Approval each-way.

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RACE 6: Gm Accounting Maclean Mdn Hcp 1700m

Not the easiest race to dissect given the record of some of these horses. Thought FLEE WITH MEE (2) would appreciate the easy contest. She went close a few starts back and the booking of Matt McGuren suits for this race. Awkward barrier but think she’s the best horse in the race. IMMORTELLE (6) should get the run of the race and so often in these open affairs, that’s the winning factor. STAR OF KONGO (12) is a 21 start maiden but is knocking on the door for that fist win. Honest on pace effort off a six week freshen up last start and should only improve off that.

Bet: Flee With Me to win.

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RACE 7: Andrew Tom Builder Pty Ltd Mdn Plate 1100m

MEGHAN (10) should get the run of the race from barrier four. She gets here in career best form and will appreciate the strong tempo that looks likely here. SHOWMAN (1) just missed last time out at Murwillumbah. Tricky barrier for Shae Wilkes to navigate but he’s probably the best horse in this race. SPILLS (2) burnt petrol early last start and it told late. Can take a sit from a wide barrier today and turn in an improved effort. SECRET KEEPER (6) goes in the mix as well.

Bet: Meghan each-way.