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Expert tips: Grafton - 04/02/25

Racing & Sports expert selections.

RSN Racing.
RSN Racing. Picture: RSN

RACE 1 - SPRING EAGLE (2) resumes today with just the one win from eighteen starts. Finally drawn a decent barrier and has finished in the minor money at his last two runs here. Goes close. BACK ON DE QUO (8) returned from a lengthy break with a slick on-pace victory over 1015m at Ballina on December 26. Races best with his runs spaced and has the speed to overcome the wide draw. GOT THE SMARTS (6) improving mare who gets back in her races and needs everything to go right. Returned good closing splits late when coming from last on the turn to finish a narrow second over 1000m at Ballina. Hard fit and sure to be thereabouts. JUNGLE LAW (1) Gold Coast mare who looks well placed in this grade first-up. Raced in good order at Eagle Farm last time in and her recent trial win over 1000m at the Gold Coast was full of merit.

RACE 2 - RAINBOW LASS (11) fitter now third up and gets in light again with the 1.5kg claim. Maps to get the gun run and expected to go close and shed her maiden status at start five. CORVALIST (2) consistent gelding due for a change of luck. Gave his all with the 59kg when chasing right to the line for a tough third over 1110m at Lismore. Doesn't have to improve much to take this out. STAVRITZEL (4) had genuine excuses last start when he over raced in the middle stages and never appeared comfortable in the soft (7) conditions when seventh over 1000m at Ballina. Look for a better showing today. HUMPHREE BEAR (5) improved showing at his second race start when stalking the speed for a fighting second over 1000m here on January 27. Has the upside to go one better today.

RACE 3 - MIMESSI (4) holding his form well and hit the line with plenty of intent when jumping up to this distance for a fast finishing third over this course on January 27. On the quick back-up and doesn't have to improve much to take this out. SUIT DAY (1) at his top now and like the way he finished off with the 59kg when a plugging third over 2150m at Gunnedah. Finds an easier contest and sure to be thereabouts again. CAMELOT STAR (7) only the one win to his name and drops in weight for this. Anchored with the 57kg from the wide gate when a poor seventh over 2110m at Lismore. Earlier efforts were good over this distance range and can take a hand in the finish. NATURE BOY (2) saves his best for this course and trip and sharp improvement is expected out to the 2220m. Gets Farr's 3kg claim and will add value into the exotics.

RACE 4 - LA PELAGO (5) Wyong-trained mare who races best with her runs spaced. Recorded fast time when a surprise winner over 1000m at Dubbo. Can go on with the job from the inside gate and not without top three prospects. THE LUPERCAL (2) model of consistency with his hoof on the till after finishing runner-up at his last three outings. Can hold a forward position despite drawing out and sure to be thereabouts. ONCE A LADY (3) complete mystery last start when getting the gun run before fading to finish last with the 59.5kg over 1000m at Port Macquarie. Won both starts prior and the 3kg claim can see her bounce back. GURU CLASS (1) handy mare resuming from the good draw. Has a good record at this track and given the two trials in readiness for this. Solid top three contender.

RACE 5 - FOO FIGHTER (3) lightly raced gelding expected to figure prominently here with the 4kg claim. Boxed on well when a close-up fourth over 1550m here on January 27. Finds his race from the draw and will take holding out. SO YOU ARE (5) excellent debut at the big odds when holding a forward position for a gritty third over 1600m at Tamworth. Would have derived further benefit from that and Ben Looker retains the ride. Genuine player. FIGHTING DAUGHTER (9) finds a weaker maiden today after having no luck from the outside gate when an eye-catching seventh over 1500m at Port Macquarie. Earlier efforts were acceptable and sure to be thereabouts. READY TO DRINK (13) had excuses when almost a month between runs fourth-up. Shuffled back from the low draw and strong through the line late when sixth over 1590m at Ballina on January 17. Worth another chance in this.

RACE 6 - MONTE TIANA (3) raced a little flat second up when chipping away late for an average sixth over 1206m at Port Macquarie. Better placed out to the 1410m and expect to see her a little closer to the speed from the inside draw. Hard to hold out. PULIGNY (2) Dubious filly from a Zabeel mare on debut for the Neasham & Archibald stable. Has shown potential in her two latest trials and she maps to get the gun run. EFFIE'S JOY (6) eleven start maiden resuming. Showed potential last campaign and finished off with plenty intent when a strong third in a recent trial over 100m at the Gold Coast. Sure to be strong late. LABARNA (9) beaten for early speed on resumption when a battling fifth over 1310m at Lismore. Has placed second up in the past and the extra trip and better gate will help his cause.

RACE 7 - SWIFT CHARM (2) is expected to go close again with the 4kg claim after comfortably putting away a Highway field over 1400m at Rosehill on January 18. Will sit on the speed and prove too strong for these. CHANGE THE DATE (8) has an excellent record over this track and trip and is ready to play a leading role. Solid effort with the 59.5kg when fifth over 1350m at Doomben. Can race a little closer and has genuine each-way prospects. COLLAY'S SPIRIT (1) recent efforts had been acceptable before jumping in class from the wide draw when a poor tenth over 1590m in the Ballina Cup on January 17. Expected to bounce back on the firmer surface. STARZAM (5) snagged back from the outside gate and like the way he finished off when seventh over 1200m at Coffs Harbour. This looks easier and represents good each way value.

RACE 8 - CRITICAL TIME (3) up in grade and drops in weight with the claim after being anchored with the 63kg from the wide gate when a tidy eighth over 1300m at Coffs Harbour. Hard fit from the low draw and has excellent each-way prospects. ZANARDEE'S LANE (5) resumes after holding his own in the city and at the provincial's last campaign. Comes to hand quickly and his latest trial win over 800m at Coffs Harbour was full of merit. Goes close. RED RED WINE (9) first two runs back were excellent with the big weights. Was away slowly and failed to get into the contest when a disappointing ninth over 1200m at Ipswich at latest. Much better than that and winning rider back on here. EAGLE HAWK STAR (4) set to peak third-up and placed to advantage here. Returned good closing splits second-up when an eye catching second over 1100m at Wyong in Highway grade on January 11. Look for him late.