Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Grafton

A John Shelton trained gelding put the writing on the wall for a win with a solid first-up performance. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Racing in New South Wales on Tuesday is at Grafton.

Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass 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.4: CABSAV

Was $17 to $26 first-up suggesting improvement to come but he actually ran a terrific race to get up along the fence late to run a close-up fifth.

NEXT BEST

Race 2, No.1: ZAC ATTACK

Quality mare on her day. Resuming for a new yard after those two consecutive thirds to the top shelf Grafton mare Tara Jasmine. Market watch advised.

VALUE BET

Race 4, No.11: KING FAROUK

Only won 3 from 33 and has a benchmark rating of 51; neither of which points to his true ability. Rarely runs a bad race.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1,2,6

Race 6: 1,3,4

Race 7: 1,4

Race 8: 3,4,5

BEST EXOTIC

Exacta Race 7, No.4 Cabsav to beat No.1 Hidden Trust.

Leading rider Matthew McGuren has a strong book of rides.

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Matthew McGuren has six top rides at Grafton and is the man to beat in the TAB Jockeys Challenge Jockey.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR GRAFTON

RACE 1

Bow hasn’t been seen in action since he won a trial here back on August 16 but he was super impressive winning the heat that day by close enough to three lengths. Aside from the fact that this is his first start in a race, the big worry is the wide draw but if he gets even luck, he might be too good perhaps. Star Of The North is another debutante who has sent out some positive signs at the trials; plural in her case. Preach is a half-brother to Rain Affair. Hails from a very astute stable; market watch advised.

Bet: Bow to win

RACE 2

Zac Attack is a handy mare who has won five times and placed on four occasions. In fact, her last two starts are both thirds, both at Grafton and both times to Tara Jasmine. They were also notable for being her last two starts for Edward O’Rourke; she’s with David Joice from here on. Riot Act has won from 1400m to 1800m but he’s been trialling like a horse that is guaranteed to run well fresh. Andy had a million excuses at Doomben - all of them valid.

Bet: Zac Attack to win

RACE 3

Allora Enzo has raced six times; finished runner-up at four of them and was third at another. If you have never had a cent on him, you would say ‘oh there’s a consistent horse’ but if you’ve lost on him at $1.45, $1.80, $1.90 (twice), you might have a different outlook. Who Loves To Dance went within a neck of a maiden win at Ballina first-up for the new camp. Has to go in again somewhere on that score. Seaczar and Vain Rich both have claims to a degree.

Bet: Alloran Enzo to win. Quinella 1,2

Jockey Ben Thompson (pictured) rides Alloran Enzo. Photo: AAP Image

RACE 4

King Farouk has won only three from 32 but he has placed seven times and you would have to go searching through his record to see where he has run an out-right poor race. It’s hard to reconcile that this gelding has a benchmark rating of 48. He is way better than that. Bit I Know is a handy mare at her best. Sure, she finished eighth of 11 last start but that puts her only three-lengths off the winner in the Queen of the North. Ultimate Man races well here at home and is a good ‘second-up’ horse.

Bet: King Farouk each-way

RACE 5

Daedalus brings together the two Matthew’s - Dunn and McGuren - who have 135 wins as a trainer/jockey combo. Daedalus is not one of them, but he almost was number 136 at Lismore last start when he was beaten a tally ho. Butlers Beach is third-up and ready to peak in what shapes at the perfect race. Royal Sky has been waiting to get out in trip and here we go. Racing Editor, Ray Thomas, pointed out that Water Line has the same name as the horse who beat Phar Lap in the 1931 Lloyd Stakes.

Bet: Daedalus to win

RACE 6

Helmet Head can hopefully give Dunn/McGuren back-to-back races. This son of Sheikh Mohammed’s great colt Helmet won’t get any fitter this campaign hence why he is so likeable here up over the 2220m. Down in class again for this, could be his day to post one of his infrequent wins. Fior The Tiger is the topical tip of the day; think Chinese New Year and the Year of the Tiger. Go well too for more substantial reasons than his name. Pressing Matters has some decent numbers at this track/distance.

Bet: Helmet Head to win

John Shelton saddles up Cabsav at Grafton on Tuesday.

RACE 7

Cabsav has raced six times for one win and no placings. That said, the day he won here in that 1006m maiden, he was seriously impressive. The John Shelton-trained three-year-old was $17 to $26 when he resumed in a Taree Class 1 on January 11 and went way better than the betting suggested he would. Hidden Trust was $8 into $5 first-up and landed the plonk in that 1000m maiden at Ballina and he beats a handy one like Lisztomania by upwards of two lengths. Taikun Tommy and Gus Lightning are in the mix.

Bet: Cabsav to win. Exacta 4 to beat 1, quinella 1,4

RACE 8

Sailing, a daughter of Kel Haul, has only won once in 14 starts but has seven placings on the C.V. She is costly - no other way of saying it. The thing about her here is that she is second-up off a placed with decent barrier and Australia’s fifth placed jockey (by wins for the season) namely Ashley Morgan on. Shirazzle is similar to Sailing in the ‘doesn’t win much but places heaps of times’ department. Important to note that Shirazzle at last gets some weight relief. Zoumanji, Saltoree and Martini Special are worthy contenders.

Bet: Sailing to win. Quinella 3,5

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Grafton