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By John Schell

Selections based on a heavy track

Race 1 - 11:05AM PRESTIGE WEDDING & EVENT HIRE BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (2245M)

9. Charmed Destiny has drawn the rails here and has been racing well with a win at Port Macquarie three starts ago being followed by solid runs at Tuncurry and then again at Port Macquarie. He likes wet tracks and should take plenty of holding out. 2. Solar Power scored a strong Port Macquarie win last time out and the step up in trip shouldn’t be a problem. 3. Maui hasn’t been too far away of late and has place claims. 5. Castel Trosino was midfield behind Solar Power at his latest start and isn’t out of this.

How to play it: Charmed Destiny EACH WAY

Race 2 - 11:40AM TRADELINK GRAFTON COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP (1435M)

1. Homeland has been placed in each of his three starts since resuming and gets his chance to break through with a win here. 3. Sharman Pete resumes and has had two trials in preparation. 4. Temple Bells has been racing well with a few recent placings, while 7. Labarna is handy at best and could sneak into the placings.

How to play it: Homeland WIN

Race 3 - 12:15PM EDWARDS IRRIGATION CONSULTING MAIDEN PLATE (1030M)

8. Lucky Neko resumes here having had two thirds from four starts. She failed to beat a runner home in a recent trial but should be primed to run well. 12. Ol’ Mate Coop was placed behind Shaggy on debut and resumes here. 6. Zouandme resumes for a new stable after a solid trial, while 11. Dirty Does It after a trial and has a wide alley to overcome.

How to play it: Lucky Neko WIN.

Race 4 - 12:50PM INSPIRATIONS PAINT COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 H (1030M)

5. Monarch Express won his maiden at his third start back in January. He resumes here from an outside gate but has the ability to score again. 4. Cool Fizz scored a good win at Taree three starts ago and can bounce back here if she can get a run to suit. 1. Cabsav resumes and is a two-time winner first-up. 10. Bondi Prophet is resuming and has shown enough talent to be rated a chance.

How to play it: Monarch Express WIN

Race 5 - 1:25PM P & L CURETON CEMENT RENDERERS SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1205M)

3. Jed hasn’t been too far away at his latest two starts and has a good draw. He ran a solid fourth at Casino last time out and warrants respect here. 6. Rock The Machine is yet to be placed but is far from the worst here, while 7. Sivo could sneak into the minor money. 14. Ultimate Reign has been placed in her latest two starts and is capable of another placing.

How to play it: Jed WIN.

Race 6 - 2:00PM SOMETHING SPECIAL WEDDINGS BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1435M)

6. Olivershare resumed from a spell to score a win as favourite at this track at just his second start. He’s drawn the rails here and gets the chance to go on with the job. 7. Yalla resumed with a solid second at Port Macquarie and can be in the finish with a repeat of that. 8. She’s Enuff won here in February and comes into this after a last start second at Port Macquarie. 9. Monte Kahuna resumes in this and his form before the spell wasn’t too bad.

How to play it: Olivershare WIN

Race 7 - 2:35PM HIP POCKET WORKWEAR & SAFETY GRAFTON BM 58 H (1435M)

5. Resurrected hit the line well from back in the field for a last start second at Ipswich and he has a handy overall record. 1. Hardley Grey won here three starts ago and ran well when a last start second at Casino. 6. Wilderness Star is a chance if she can get her own way in front. 8. Raised By Wolves was a Port Macquarie winner two starts ago and is a chance with a repeat of that.

How to play it: Resurrected WIN

Race 8 - 3:10PM BRETT BELLAMY CONGRATULATIONS ON 1000 BM 82 H (1435M)

5. Veandechance raced on the speed and did the job well to score a last start win at Taree on the back of a solid Highway effort at Rosehill. She looks set to run well again here. 1. Bean Foggy has a consistent record and was a last start second at Ballina. 7. Badgers Nuts has been racing well and should be thereabouts despite the wide gate, while 8. Flying Birds wasn’t beaten far at the Gold Coast at his latest start.

How to play it: Veandechance WIN

Race 9 - 3:45PM TLM ELECTRICAL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1635M)

3. He’s A Copy Boy has run well in both of his runs back from a spell and has claims again. 9. Do It For You will find this easier than a last start Eagle Farm effort. 8. Discreet Lady was a Tuncurry winner two starts ago and wasn’t far away when fourth at Port Macquarie last time out. 6. Havieron won here a couple of runs back and was close-up when fifth at his latest start.

How to play it: He’s A Copy Boy WIN.

Race 10 - 4:25PM LAWRENCE TAVERN BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1205M)

3. Shamadan resumed with a close-up fourth at Doomben and this looks a nice race for her to break through again in having shown talent as a two-year-old. 9. Pickupstixx has been placed at this track in his latest two starts and can be thereabouts. 7. Church Rock won at Lismore before being spelled and can sprint well fresh. 8. Cosmic Fortune is a last start Casino winner that has claims.

How to play it: Shamadan WIN

Best Bets:
Race 6 (6) Olivershare.
Race 8 (5) Veandechance.

Best Value:
Race 1 (9) Charmed Destiny.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday’s Grafton meeting