Grafton racing tips – Monday 23 September 2024

Race 4

HACKING is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has only had two runs to date, finishing eleventh on debut over 1200M and then showing improvement to end up in second place next time out over 1120M, four lengths behind the winner, but she was slow away that day and had to be held up at the 200M mark.

She faces a wide draw nine, but she would have come on further with that run under her belt and could be the one that they all have to beat. STAVRITZEL is seldom far off the action, finishing second last time out over 1000M, 2.8L back from the winner, but he overraced in the early and middle stages that day when trying to go from jump to wire.

From draw six, he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today. I’M NUMBER ONE has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when second over 1300M, just a short-head behind the victor. He struck the front at the 200M mark in that event, only to be nabbed in the shadow of the post. The gelding is drawn one outside the latter and will have 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

Race 5

The day’s value bet, RAHAAN is an 8yr old mare taking on males, but she won over 1900M three runs back, finished second in her penultimate start over 2200M and then a disappointing nineth in her latest outing over the same c&d, 14.2L adrift of the winner.

She tried to go from gun to tape on that occasion, but did not go on with her effort. The form of that race has however stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and from gate seven, she will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways today.

AUSBRED COOEE had to be held up several time in the home straight when finishing fourth last time out over 2200M, 3.2L back from the victor, so he had his excuses. The gelding is drawn one outside the top pick and will have 1.5kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice.

COME ON EILEEN is a 7yr old mare who was having her first run for her new trainer and was bumped at the 200M pole when finishing fifth in her latest outing over 1500M, 2.7L off the winner. From her kinder draw five, she should be included in all bets.

Race 6

VOLCANIC LOVE has cracked pole position and had nothing go his way last time out when finishing fifth over 1400M, just over three lengths behind the winner, but that was at a stronger center. He jumped awkwardly, bumping another runner, raced three wide throughout and then five wider into the home straight.

The form of that race has however been franked and he will be having his peak run after returning from a 13 week rest. As such, he is made the best bet on the day’s card. MARGOT’S BULLSEYE is a 4yr old filly taking on boys, but she had her consistency rewarded with her maiden victory last time out over 1400M by 3.8L.

She kicked clear of the field at the top of the home straight to record a comfortable win and whilst taking on stronger here and having to negotiate a wide draw eleven, she gets the services of a 1.5kg claiming apprentice and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

REEL TORQUE followed up his penultimate run victory over 1200M with a ninth place finish next time out over 1400M, four lengths back from the winner. He only weakened late on that occasion and although drawn in gate nine, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

MY MUM’S TOYBOY raced three wide without cover, but delivered a powerful finish to win his last start over 1100M by one and a half lengths. He has pulled gate five and will have his peak run after returning from a 25 week spell and have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

GOOMERI was reported to be lame when finishing nineth last time out over 1400M, 7.7L adrift of the winner and was immediately rested for 38 weeks. He returns here after winning both of his barrier trials to showcase his well-being and although drawn wide in gate ten, he should be right up there when they hit the line. PORT ERIN goes for his hat-trick after two victories over 1000M, the latest by 1.8L.

He did race three wide without cover in that event, but still managed to finish off his race well. The gelding jumps from gate seven and the trio is very much on the cards.