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

Maroon Magic is back to the scene of the crime as she looks to make it two from two at Grafton. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Racing in New South Wales on Friday is at Grafton and Bathurst.

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones gives his best bets and runs the rule over the Quaddie legs at Grafton and Bathurst.

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 8, No.10: MAROON MAGIC

It took her a while to get to the races but she started her career in the best possible fashion with a win at this track so it’s no surprise she’s back here to do it again.

NEXT BEST

Race 7, No.3: SCORPIUS

He did enough first-up to come to a race like this and do well. He was previously trained in a stronger part of the country so he’s well placed around northern NSW.

QUADDIE

Race 6: 4, 6, 13, 14

Race 7: 1, 3, 5, 10

Race 8: 1, 10

Race 9: 1, 3, 14

Jockey Andrew Mallyon can make the most of his three rides at Grafton on Friday.

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Andrew Mallyon only has three rides but will fancy his chances of going home with a winning double on the likes of Singer Sargent, Shores Of Gold and Maroon Magic.

BATHURST

BEST BET

Race 7, No.2: HAMPTON COVE

This race might fall away and hand him an easy win. He’s in form and has a lot of favours on paper so expect a good result.

TRAINER TO WATCH

Bjorn Baker loves targeting this track with his up and coming horses. He can enjoy success here again through Motion Legend, Invest In Love and Little Baia.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR GRAFTON

RACE 6

Pointillism has drawn out again but she showed on debut she can sit back then really rattle home late. She ran above her odds on debut but will be much more respected by the punters this time. Vandaceous will also likely take a sit from a wide gate and have one last crack at them. This is a weak race so these two need to avoid slow ones coming back at them in the straight. Little Jill won’t have that issue and should look to push forward from the wide gate but could be vulnerable late.

Bet: Pointillism to win

RACE 7

Look A’like had found form all of a sudden and is one of three horses trying to win for the third-straight time. Byron Eyes is one of the others and she will let the speed go and come off it strongly like she has been at past two runs. Scorpius is in the hands of Brett Cavanough now after racing in a strong Victorian yard previously. He showed on the Gold Coast last start that he should be more than competitive in this part of NSW. Sophia’s Lass isn’t a confirmed starter but if she runs, she’ll be competitive off a big last start win. She’s up two grades now.

Bet: Scorpius to win

Luke Dittman rides Scorpius for trainer Brett Cavanough at Grafton.

RACE 8

Maroon Magic started at $1.95 on debut here two weeks ago and despite racing wide throughout, proved too classy. A better barrier now gives her an easier run in transit up in grade. Bow has been very well backed at all five runs to date but has only pleased them on one occasion. He’s better suited second-up over this trip. Continuum has run second at her past five starts so she too is more than testing the patience of her backers. She has a nice racing pattern that always gives her a hope.

Bet: Maroon Magic to win

RACE 9

Full Press has a nice gate and gets into this with a winnable weight. He’s got a good record at this track, looks an improver off a quicker back up and this is an easier race than the one contested last start. I Shot The Sheriff looked in a spot of bother last start but once he got clear air he began to motor home and was at his strongest on the line. The Heroine won at $51 second-up after not figuring on debut. The win was at this track so no wonder he’s coming back.

Bet: Full Press to win

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR BATHURST

RACE 5

Invest In Love lost by five lengths when sent out a $2.30 chance but they got the price wrong because she obviously got beat by a smart one. She wasn’t exactly going backwards on the line. She gets an ideal gate here. Stablemate Little Baia has had a stack of trials to get ready for her debut and looks ready to roll now but a wide gate for a first starter is always a concern. Belriah had a winning trial after a six-week freshen up and she’s got decent form around her to come to this race and be in the finish.

Bet: Belriah to win

RACE 6

Kataway isn’t taking on much here and this field will be a welcome relief after racing in much better events of late. This is her time to win. Yak has only won three times from 50 starts but one of those victories came at this track two runs back and he’s actually in good form. Dee Pee is lightly raced so has the upside many of these don’t have while Amy Ekcels should run this trip right out and she gets in light.

Bet: Kataway to win

RACE 7

Hampton Cove looks to get all the favours in this race and has the form to match. He should be able to come across and sit outside the leader. He is due for another win and if Brooklyn Star and Apollo Start don’t run, it only helps his chances. Tiger King and Mamelon have been racing fair but in lesser grade so they will both need to improve a little to win this. Rupertson has had change of stable and that often picks them up and his first-up record is a good one.

Bet: Hampton Cove to win

RACE 8

Timmy will put himself on the speed and comes into this off a second placing after winning the start before at Dubbo. He’s on the way up so the best is yet to come as he tries to go through the grades. Flying Foxy has got back into form of late and win a $30,000 maiden last start. Rubigal would threaten if she was to run but is an unlikely starter.

Bet: Timmy to win

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