Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Grafton, Gosford

Following two solid second placings, a Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained gelding can be rewarded for his efforts with a win in the Grafton Cup. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainers David Eustace and Ciaron Maher have Dr Drill primed for Thursday’s Grafton Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Grafton.

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!

GRAFTON

BEST BET

Race 7, No.2: DR DRILL

He should be getting all the favours from the cushy gate so he’s at his best in the straight where he can sprint better than most of these. He’s very adaptable.

NEXT BEST

Race 5, No.10: MEDIA SCANDAL

She’s got the barrier and jockey to win this but, most importantly, the form also. She was going very well before running in a Stakes race where she wasn’t disgraced.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 3, 9, 10

Race 6: 5, 8, 9, 11

Race 7: 1, 2, 5, 6

Race 8: 1, 3, 4, 8

Hugh Bowman has a good book of rides at Grafton and will be hard to beat in the TAB Jockey Challenge. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Hugh Bowman’s rides all must be winning hopes here and he will get more confident if the track can dry out a bit for Berbidek in the Cup. Kokoro might be overs in the third too.

GOSFORD

BEST BET

Race 7, No.3: HOLY TYCOON

She comes into this off a strong win last start where she was doing her best over the line. She’s well placed now and if there’s a couple of scratchings it makes her job easier from an awkward draw.

TRAINER TO WATCH

Mark Newnham will fancy his chances of taking out the seventh race with either Zain’s Girl or Twitch while Piempurr isn’t without a hope in the fourth.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR GRAFTON

RACE 1

Star Magnum has barrier nine once again after he had to do work from the same gate first-up and he’s won second-up in the past and he comes here fitter and with every chance. Horowitz is an on-speed type and has Tommy Berry on from barrier one so he should be leading or one back on the fence as they turn for home. In A Step gets a good gate for a chance and might be overs if she starts around the $10 mark at a track she’s always performed at. Tobasco is huge odds considering he races his best here at home.

Bet: Star Magnum to win

RACE 2

Aquarius gets the gun run from the draw and probably gets the run of the race second-up after running second fresh off three barrier trials so she’s very fit now. Galbalan has also drawn well and might just sit in behind the speed here and get the last crack at them. He got too far back as they straightened last start and had to go around a slow one before rattling home. He has had 10 runs however without a win but has placed six times. Baronial probably gets ridden quiet and has the last crack at them. Ben Hur has been super consistent this time in and can overcome the gate.

Bet: Galbalan to win

RACE 3

Lisztomania just missed out on winning a Highway race two weeks ago and drops back to a Class 1 event here. As long as he finds cover in the run from barrier 8, he can get into clear air in the straight and let down well. Kokoro has John O’Shea and Hugh Bowman on his side and he looked the part in his lead up barrier trial. Has the barrier to get every hope. Karaoke King is the one they’ll have to watch in the last 100m because he’s type that gets back and run on late.

Bet: Kokoro to win

John O'Shea prepares Kokoro who looks hard to beat first-up on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4

Tara Jasmine has won every time she’s stepped out onto her home track for a race and that’s been on six occasions so it’s a telling statistic and it’s the key to her getting back into form and the tongue tie is off for the first time. Rivabrook needs plenty to go right from the wide gate but does come here with winning form. European import Soffika is a big watch here on her Australian debut. She powered home to win her latest barrier trial. She hasn’t raced in almost two years but has had three trials here to get ready. Oakfield Arrow was a forgive run last start and improves greatly second-up and has strong form all around her.

Bet: Oakfield Arrow each way

RACE 5

Durnstein bolted in here first-up at start two but it was on a Heavy 10 track so be wary of that. He should lead from barrier one and give them something tough to catch. Fashion Legend wasn’t disgraced in town on debut when fourth after not getting the cleanest of runs in the final 200m and losing a bit of momentum. Deep Opinions really put them to bed late on debut at Coonamble and looks a talent while Media Scandal will find this easier after running in a Stakes race last time when not disgraced.

Bet: Media Scandal to win

RACE 6

Up Trumpz has been a bit of a tease because on his day he’s got the ability to just swamp a field and win well but he’s only won six times compared to 24 placings. He does fly fresh however and has Tommy Berry on. Tucson Valley shoots for five-straight wins here and why can’t she? She’s got Hugh Bowman on and has the gate speed to get across from a wide gate. The last 100m will be the big test for her. Parksville likes racing here and went close to qualifying for the Country Championships Final earlier in the year and should get a nice run with cover and one off the fence.

Bet: Quinella 5, 8

Trainer Stephen Jones has Tucson Valley going for five straight wins at Grafton on Thursday. Picture: AAP Image

RACE 7

Pretty Keen on Dr Drill here. He’s well placed here and winning this race is the plan to get him into The Big Dance later in the year. He’s going to get the run of the race from the gate and he could be the most adaptable type in the field. Berdibek is a threat if the track dries out and he should get a typical Hugh Bowman ride from the wide gate and be presented in clear air in the straight after getting an economical run off the speed. Arapaho does need to get his toe into the track to perform at his best while Youthful Spirit will be an improved runner after a fair showing at his Australian debut and stepping up in trip won’t hurt.

Bet: Dr Drill to win

RACE 8

I like the fact that Ice In Vancouver is staying at 1000m here after winning at the trip first-up. He will start quite short and should win if he gets a little luck from an awkward draw and doesn’t have to work hard but if he does, he might be vulnerable late even over 1000m. Stoical is well placed here down in grade while Burning Crown might still have what it takes to win at this level off two massive trial wins and a tip top first-up record. Tavisan has won three from seven fresh and has also trialled well. There could be an upset here.

Bet: Burning Crown to win

Originally published as Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Grafton, Gosford