Best bets and inside mail for Orange and Grafton on Friday, November 22

Trainer Gary Portelli and jockey Deanne Panya won a Magic Millions Cup together, on Friday the pair combine with a top winning hope at Orange.

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass provides his best bets and quaddie analysis for Orange and Grafton on Friday.

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ORANGE TIPS

BEST BET

Race 7 No.3: Stormfield

Only run was a good one in a good race. Resumes off two solid trials.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No.2: Autumn Song

Only has to repeat his NSW debut at Dubbo to figure.

VALUE BET

Race 2 No.7: Gatchan

Ready for the 2100n, fit and racing well. Gets in light.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 7, 8

Race 6: 1, 2, 3

Race 7: 3

Race 8: 2, 4

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Mathew Cahill could tally up enough points to win the Jockeys Challenge

ORANGE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 5

The Mooch may have only won once in 26 starts but the daughter of Love Conquers All has placed nine times, six of them are seconds. On top of that, the Cowra-housed mare has raced this very same track and distance four times for three seconds and a third. Getting close to a win. Threefold was $1.50 when she won, albeit by inches, in that Nowra maiden on November 3. Super Zippi is a Canterbury winner. The one to beat, but is not unbeatable.

Bet: The Mooch to win

RACE 6

Super Sugoi was rather underwhelming at his first preparation but has been a better, and different horse, in this one evidenced by a huge second at Nowra first-up in a good looking maiden which he followed with a win at the same venue two weeks later. Can keep progressing. Light Infantry was scratched from a race at Hawkesbury to run here, closer to home, and from a delightful barrier. Makes obvious appeal.

Bet: Super Sugoi to win, exacta 2 to beat 1, Daily Double 1st Leg (2), 2nd Leg (4)

RACE 7

Stormfield was spelled after his debut at Kembla where he held his ground admirably to clock in fifth to the above average Island Dec. That was June 20. The Gary Portelli trained chestnut has trialled twice in October, the last one was spot on for this. Good jockey on. Billy Bowlegg is an interesting horse. He is one of only nine foals by his sire Mandalong Ready on Earth. The Gary Nickson-trained gelding was specked ($20 into $15) on debut and didn’t go too badly. He could/should be an improver.

Bet: Stormfield to win (best bet)

RACE 8

Smart And Dapper races in the same Atkinson family colours as Sniper’s Bullet who famously won the Railway Stakes over in Perth 15 years ago, minus one day. This son of Smart Missile has been expertly placed by his trainer Brett Thompson, hence why he has won five and placed four times in 17 starts. One of those wins was a Highway. Devine Miss is likewise a very reliable racehorse who should run well again. Lady Shenanigans has been knocking around at the provincials.

Bet: Smart And Dapper to win

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GRAFTON TIPS

BEST BET

Race 7 No.7: Ellro

As talented as she is promising; small margin but a big winner first-up.

NEXT BEST

Race 9 No.8: Preemptory

Hopefully the sting out will bring out his best again.

VALUE BET

Race 1 No.3: Bright The Sun

Gives the impression that 1710m is what she is looking for.

GRAFTON INSIDE MAIL

RACE 6

Saxinoue is a Matthew Dunn-trained son of Saxon Warrior out of a Lonhro mare. The horse has raced three times, he won very easily at home at Murwillumbah back in June on a Heavy 8 and we could argue that the two fourths on either side were good runs in good races. Stoinka is unplaced in all five runs here at Grafton but offsets that (maybe) by the fact that he is in such good form this preparation. Hardley Grey can, and should never, be underestimated.

Bet: Saxinoue to win

RACE 7

Ellro could be the horse that progresses the furthest in the new year. Straight off the Lonhro assembly line, Ellro is being looked at, big time, for the Country Championships and she couldn’t be in better hands to get there and even through to the Final than David “Far Too Easy” McColm. Mychyna hasn’t won in 10 starts on good tracks, all four wins are on soft or heavy and the track will be one of those on Friday. Talakai, Salamancas and Old Timing Man have claims.

Bet: Ellro to win (best bet)

RACE 8

Showman’s wins are circa 1500m but if he ran true his pedigree, he’d be in two mile races. His father is Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, his dam is by English Derby winner Sir Percy. All in all, he has some pretty appealing figures for this and he handles the slop. That goes double and more for Three Graces. It is a worry that she has only won once in 16 starts but she has placed seven times. Best of all, she has raced on heavy tracks five times for four seconds and a third. Talakai is building towards another win.

Bet: Showman to win or if scratched Three Graces to win, quinella 5,15

RACE 9

Preemptory trialled like nothing would beat him when he resumes in the Jacaranda Cup on November 6. As it turned out, he ran last of nine as the heavily backed $3.10 favourite. In hindsight, he hadn’t raced since a Highway in May of 2023 and it seems that the Good 3 was a bit too firm for him. Little doubt that he will improve today but he has to find five odd lengths to catch and beat the Jacaranda Cup winner Single Touch who is on a hat-trick.

Bet: Preemptory to win, exacta 8 to beat 3, quinella 3,8

Originally published as Best bets and inside mail for Orange and Grafton on Friday, November 22