Race day focus: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Grafton on Sunday

While things didn’t go to plan first-up, trainer Fleur Blanch was more than happy with the run of The Maxinator while Dark Euro will appreciate a drop in grade as she chases her first quinella.

The Maxinator (pictured) and Dark Euro can give trainer Fleur Blanch her first training quinella at Grafton on Sunday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Fleur Blanch can’t split The Maxinator and Dark Euro heading into her home track meeting and hopes the pair can provide her with her first training quinella.

The pair line up in the final event, the Country Boosted Benchmark 66 Handicap (1410m)

The Maxinator was a little unlucky first-up according to Blanch when he was supposed to resume at Coffs Harbour before wet weather forced a change of venue and the race was shortened.

The meeting was moved to Grafton and run over 1195m where, after settling back in the field, the gelding finished a half-length fifth behind Cabsav.

“As horse trainers, we map out their program and have them all set to run and he was pencilled in to resume in a race at Coffs Harbour over 1300m,” said Blanch.

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Trainer Fleur Blanch is hoping to end Sunday on a high note at Grafton.

“The meeting got moved to Grafton and the distanced changed to 1195m and it was a dry track with the rail out as well which was putting the backmarkers out of play

“The small margin he was beaten by, we could have ended up in the foetal position because I most certainly think he would have won had he been in that 1300m trace at Coffs (Harbour) or if they made it a 1400m race at Grafton.

“He has done extremely well since that first-up run and I expect him to be very competitive.

“Anthony (Allen) is the regular rider for both horses in this and he was more than happy to stay on The Maxinator.”

Dark Euro will appreciate a big drop in grade from his run at Doomben and despite having 63kg this weekend, Blanch isn’t concerned.

The eight-year-old was resuming in the Class 5 and after racing on pace, dropped out to finish eight behind Bowrider on March 20.

“Every time I have taken him to the city, things just haven’t worked out for him,” she said.

“They just run that fraction of a second quicker each furlong and it takes him out of his comfort zone.

“Just running that bit quicker, it is taking his finish away from him.

Dark Euro drops sharply in grade when he takes on stablemate The Maxinator at Grafton. Picture: Bradley Photos

“Actually, I’m really keen on him this weekend. I know he has 63 kilos but he is a horse who is getting better with age and I wouldn’t be surprised if I run the quinella in this race to be honest.

“He has done so well since his first-up run, he loves the 1400m Grafton and he’s always very competitive in those (Benchmark) 66 races.

“I’m not worried about that first-up run, this is his level and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“I would have loved if the barriers were reversed.

“The Maxinator gets back that bit further but Dark Euro does jump brilliantly and likes to race closer to the speed.

“I’m hoping he can end up fifth or sixth in the run. I just don’t want him doing too much work early to lead or sit outside the leader with that big weight.

Earlier in the day, Blanch saddles up Saskatoon Berry who resumes in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1106m) and said she expect the filly to run a cheeky.

“I can’t believe she is still a maiden. She has run into a few problems in her races including bad draws and she has drawn wide again.

“She has got an awesome turn of foot and while it might be a little bit short for her, she will run a very cheeky race.

“There is a 1400m race coming up in the program but she needs something before it and this 1100m race is all there is but it’s a good starting point for her.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 7 No. 6: Oakfield Duke

The Kris Lees-trained gelding hasn’t won for some time but his recent runs have been good. Well placed here with 57.5kg.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No. 5: Beebee

Just beaten a nose when resuming here three weeks ago. His terrific early speed can overcome the wide barrier.

VALUE BET

Race 4 No. 2: One ‘N’ Only

Has only been out of a place twice. Won on debut and can ruin a bold race first-up from a good draw.

BEST EXOTIC

Race 7: Quinella 5, 6

QUADDIE

Race 5: 10, 12, 14

Race 6: 4, 8, 10

Race 7: 5, 6

Race 8: 1, 10, 11

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Ben Looker has a handy book of rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL – GRAFTON

RACE 1

Unega Wahy’a has contested metropolitan grade races in all four starts. Was a length third to Mishani Eclipse at Doomben on Oct 28. Won a trial at the Gold Coast on Mar 28. Kaluakoi was last to Switzerland on debut at Randwick on Jan 27. In new stable and good win in a trial here on Apr 1. Flame Tree Star got home well for third behind Head Case on debut here. Will take improvement from the run.

Bet: Unega Wahy’a to win

RACE 2

Wannawinwin came from back in the field for a length and a quarter fourth behind I’mtimmyzou at her first run over 2200m here on Mar 7. Backed up 10 days later with a big win over the same track and distance. Go Millo has been down the track at his two runs back from a spell over 1600m. Will appreciate the step up in trip. I’mtimmyzou dropped back to 1600m last start and steps back up to 2220m. He won last time he did that.

Bet: Wannawinwin to win

RACE 3

Beebee ran a handy race when fourth on debut after being taken back. Raced on speed and just nosed out by Ardonaugh here three weeks ago. Drawn wide but can go one better this time. Kirsten had a tough run when racing three-deep before finishing sixth to Under Twenty Two as favourite when resuming here on Apr 1. Gets a better run from the pole. Sasskatoon Berry has been a touch unlucky a couple of times. Worth including in the exotics.

Bet: Beebee to win

RACE 4

One ‘N’ Only won at Ballina three starts back and ended last campaign with a nose second to Tread Softly at Eagle Farm on Jan 3. Won over 900m on debut at the Gold Coast. Mission Ridge closed nicely to beat Szabo at Ipswich two starts back before a fifth there last time out. Inlanda won his maiden at Ballina in December and resumed with a handy win from Tyzanna here on Apr 1.

Bet: One ‘N’ Only each-way

A good Stacey Callow ride sees One 'n' Only salute in a close finish for Kim Loy! pic.twitter.com/9nDwVttGFf

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 4, 2023

RACE 5

Top Act was a bit keen early when narrowly beaten into third here on Mar 7 before bumping heavily at the start when a closing third to Ready And Lucky at Doomben on Apr 3. Friend In Need was a close runner-up to Lady Shotgun at Doomben before missing a place for the first tome when sixth to Super Impressive at Ballina. Better effort last time when third to Credit Controller over this track and trip. Ocean Alps has place claims.

Bet: Top Act to win

RACE 6

I Saw The Light has been good in finishing runner-up in both starts. Came from just worse than midfield to finish two lengths off Pinkus on debut at Doomben before beating all bar Price Cost at Beaudesert. Can go one better. Our Sparky sat behind the leader and boxed on to finish a length second here last start. Will be prominent in the finish again. The Riddler has claims on his third to Saxon Brave here two starts back.

Bet: I Saw The Light to win

RACE 7

Oakfield Duke won four of his first five starts with the last in September 2022. Got home well for third to Maximum Vortex here two starts back before a second to Xpresso at Ipswich. Can end his winning drought. Maximum Vortex was below his best on a quick back-up and racing on inferior ground last start. Handy win before that and can bounce back. Fortyfive Parklane is resuming here and does have a handy fresh record. Keep safe.

Bet: Oakfield Duke to win

RACE 8

The Maxinator was very good when beaten a half-length over 1195m when resuming here on Mar 25. Will appreciate the step up to 1410m. Stablemate Dark Euro drops back from a Class 5 at Doomben when resuming. Very consistent last campaign in this grade and a top chance despite his big weight. Bonjour Rupert was a handy third to Cabsav two starts back before a second to Wonderland Star. Will be prominent again.

Bet: The Maxinator to win