Grafton tips: Trainer Shane Everson has Sir Boo ready to surprise his rivals with Cup upset

Sir Boo is taking a big jump in grade but trainer Shane Everson is confident the gelding will be very competitive in the Maclean Cup.

Sir Boo is ready to run a big race in the Mclean Cup at Grafton. Picture: Bradley Photos

Local trainer Shane Everson is hoping track specialist Sir Boo’s trademark barnstorming finish can deliver the final feature of the annual Grafton Ramornie and Cup Carnival.

A $16,000 Magic Millions Yearling acquisition, Sir Boo has put together a tidy C.V of three wins and three placings from his 11 starts, eight of which have been at Grafton.

And while Sir Boo’s last win was in a Class 2, the son of $1.5 million Easter Yearling Sooboog, is still untapped and progressive in equal measure.

“Obviously it is a big jump in grade,” Everson said.

“I had two options. I was going to run in the Class 6 Belflyer (1175m) on Thursday or in the Maclean Cup on Sunday.

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!

Nothing rocky about Rocky Ride in the fourth from Grafton! pic.twitter.com/5Rbv41Dedk

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 7, 2024

“The Class 6 ended up being pretty strong but the way he raced the other day, I wasn’t sure if it was because of the leader-bias or he was looking for the 1400m so with the Belflyer being so strong, we decided to go to the Maclean Cup.

“It is a bit of a litmus test but he’ll acquit himself well. He’ll go round ‘overs’ and run a nice race.”

Everson played a cameo role on Maclean Cup in 2023 with the aptly-named soon to be eight-year-old gelding, Old Timing Man, back to defend his Benchmark 58 Handicap (1100m) crown.

“He’s a stable favourite,” Everson said.

“He is a lovely horse who just tries and he always runs a good race.

“He probably races a little bit better on the fresh side and it was always our plan to give him a few weeks after his last run coming into this race.

“He won this race last year so it has kind of been a little bit of a target for him.”

One-time boom galloper Moringa’s Amordoro will make his 16th appearance at Grafton, just short of four years since first, which resulted in his only career win to date.

“He showed so much talent,” the trainer said.

September Girl hits the front and draws clear, sticking true to her soft track form. pic.twitter.com/VZOgC5EHGf

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 11, 2023

“His first start he beat them pretty easily and a smart one of Matty Dunn’s ran second, Sagacious, and it went on and won a fair few in Brisbane.

“He has always done a lot wrong. He over-races, he bolts, you can’t steer him, he hangs, he is a problem child.

“He has had a lot of problems.

“He had a lot of trouble with foot abscesses and lost a fair bit of his hoof that had to grow back and then he actually did a tendon but a tendon in his back leg which is pretty uncommon.

“If there is any horse that can find an issue it is him.”

That said, the grandson of Storm Cat sent out some positive signs at his two most recent starts that a second win was close at hand.

Everson’s remaining runner on the Maclean Cup Day undercard is the blue-blooded rising eight-year-old mare September Girl who recently raised the bat on her 50th start.

“She doesn’t show any signs of tapering off and I have had a bit of luck with the old mares and once they get a bit older, I am pretty easy on them in their work and you keep them happy,” Everson said.

SHAYNE O’CASS’ TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 5 No. 4: Cardsharp

Fancy he will appreciate the firmer track this time, second-up, drawn well and with a claim.

NEXT BEST

Race 1 No. 1: Au Revoir

Has to go 3120m but he is fit for purpose and the ‘in-form’ horse in the field.

VALUE BET

Race 3 No. 12: Lord Vettori

Jake Hull-trained colt who ran a very creditable race on debut. Drawn wide but has Ben Looker again.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 4, 5

Race 6: 2, 5, 6,

Race 7: 5, 10

Race 8: 1, 2

Ben Looker is a great chance in the Jockey Challenge at Grafton. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Ben Looker has some wide draws to navigate but other than that, it’s a great book.

INSIDE MAIL - GRAFTON

RACE 1

Au Revoir says hello to 3190m for the first time. Interestingly, her seventh dam is Rainbird, the 1945 Melbourne Cup winner. Let’s skip ahead to the present and Au Revoir is certainly fit enough to run the trip and on top of that, she is far and away the ‘in-form;’ horse in the race. Crown’m has only won one from 29 but she he has placed 12 times. Fit as well as he is more genuine than his record would attest. I’mtimmyzou and Nature Boy have claims in an intriguing marathon.

Bet: Au Revoir to win

RACE 2

More Elements is a Matthew Dunn-trained gelding whose sweet spot is probably somewhere around the 1700m mark; this being a 1700m Maiden of course. He has a fair few of them covered, most in fact, but he will still have to carry 60kg. To offset that, he gets Ben Looker and a favourable alley. His big threat is Monte Kahuna whose record of 14 starts for one second doesn’t take in a lot of far more creditable runs than that. Fit as, and the trip suits.

Bet: More Elements to win, quinella 2, 10

RACE 3

Lord Vettori is a Jake Hull-trained son of Rubick. His fifth dam is the mother of the great Riverina Charm. As for Lord Vettori, he was $12 to $16 on debut when a distant, but encouraging third here. Extra trip suits but he has the widest barrier. Santos El Halper (one for The Simpsons fans) finds a winnable race and appeals even more now that he is down on the limit weight. Dee Stormed is a major player.

Bet: Lord Vettori to win or if scratched Santos El Halper to win

RACE 4

Moringa’s Amordoro won his first start and looked like he might be way above average. Long story short, he’s had a few hurdles to overcome and hasn’t won again since in his subsequent 20 starts. That said, he has placed seven times, all his best form is here at home, and his last two have been quite encouraging. Bad Boy Darby gets back and charges late hence why he loses more than he wins. Not so the last time he raced; he barnstormed home to win here.

Bet: Moringa’s Amordoro each-way, box trifecta 2, 5, 7, 10

Sharkosphere sinks her teeth in to score under Ben Looker! 🦈 pic.twitter.com/dUJ4qABPF9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 13, 2023

RACE 5

Cardsharp is easy to like for a lot of reasons; the draw, the claim/jockey, his talent of course but most of all, seeing him back on firmer going. Old Timing Man has raced 63 times in his career, 30 are at Grafton which is fair enough given he is trained there. The point being, he has quite a good record at the home venue. The Shane Everson-trained seven-year-old has won twice over the track and trip from seven tries and this looks within his capabilities.

Bet: Cardsharp to win, exacta 4 to beat 5, trifecta 4 (standout) to beat 5, 8, 9

RACE 6

Spiele has some good numbers. Three wins and six placings from 20 starts is an honourable enough strike-rate but keep in mind that she is a winner at this track and distance. But what makes the daughter of Casino Prince all the more likeable here is that she has trialled really well and is close to being ‘pitched in’ after the claim. September Girl is a 50 start veteran who continues to race well, albeit a little bit patchy at times. Some of her best times are here at home.

Bet: Spiele to win or if scratched September Girl each-way

RACE 7

Auzstar is a good horse but he will have to be to overcome barrier 12 of 13. He seems so well weighted on 55kg given how good his best is compared to pretty much all of his rivals bar the old Korida that is. Cutting to the chase, wise to forgive him on the 10 at Kempsey and he’s trialled up a treat since. Fun Enuff has a very. very set of numbers - how about four starts at the track and trip for three wins. Big run at Newcastle last start too. Sir Boo could charge late and win; he’s well up to this race on his best day.

Bet: Auzstar to win, box trifecta 3, 5, 10, 12

RACE 8

Military Award sports those famous Contract Racing colours. The Matthew Dunn trained son of Shamus Award has been quite good in the time since he arrived at Murwillumbah. For what it is worth, he really wants 1700m now. Lots to like about him expect for the barrier but we get Ben Looker. Do It For You can win but we have to just mention the pedigree. He is by Harbinger but better still, his fifth dam is Allez France who won the Arc like her father Sea Bird. Neil Osborne’s Call Me Artie will appreciate a Good 4 for a change.

Bet: Military Award to win, quinella 1, 2