Grafton preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 13, 2025

The Australian

12-07-2025

Trainer Scott Singleton was a little surprised when he saw the field for the South Grafton Cup but an inside draw for Fiorsum Fred give him hope the gelding can run a cheeky race.
Headlining the South Grafton Cup (1600m) is last start Listed Civic Stakes winner Headley Grange along with Listed Tatt's Mile runner-up Sibaaq and Big Dance runner-up Vivy Air.
'It has ended up a bit stronger race than I thought but the Big Eligibility gets them there but you have to be in it to win it,' Singleton said.
'He is down in the weights and has drawn well so we will see how we go.'
Fiorsum Fred has 54kg while Headley Grange has top weight of 62kg, Sibaaq has 61kg and Vivy Air has 59kg
The four-year-old drew barrier 5 but moved in one gate with the early scratching of Uzziah while those three rivals have drawn out on barriers 10, 8 and 13 respectively.
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'It's a good draw for him because he's got enough speed to be handy so hopefully he will be just behind them with cover,' said Singleton.
'He will need the favourites to have a bit of luck go against them but he can bob up on his day and I wouldn't completely rule him out of it.'
Fiorsum Fred is no stranger to Grafton after finishing runner-up to Rapt in the Guineas last year.
The son of Fiorente heads back this weekend in better shape than his form may appear according to Singleton.
'That should have been a '1' next to his name last start at Tamworth,' he said.
'He just never got a clear crack at them at all in the straight and went to the line full of running.
'I would take him if he wasn't in really good order.'
Joining Fiorsum Fred on the trip from Scone is Beyond My Ken in the Class 1 Handicap (1006m) and Another Peach in the Maiden Plate (1410m).
Beyond My Ken showed good ability with a debut win from Manuscript and Fingers Hunter at Scone in March last year before a last to Linebacker in the Group 3 Baillieu at Rosehill.
Hen then placed third at Muswellbrook in his only run last spring before returning with two seventh placings at Scone.
'His form doesn't read as good as this horse is,' Singleton said.
'Since his first start when he won, everything has gone wrong.
'He pulled up lame at his next start at Rosehill and has had issue after issue since then.
'I've finally got him in the shape he was when he won on debut.
'He's finally drawn a good barrier too.
'I'm going there pretty confident that he is ready to do something. He's the one I'm most confident about.'
Another Peach showed handy ability in her first campaign with placings in three of her four starts.
She returned this preparation with a neck second to Kobold at Mudgee on July 6.
'It was a really sticky track and she just couldn't get away from them at the top of the straight,' said Singleton.
'Had it been a little bit drier, she probably wins but she stuck to her task well though.
'She pulled up unbelievably well and I'm confident she has come on a little bit which will have her right in the mix.
'While she has drawn out a little, the fact that her main dangers have drawn wider gives her a chance to roll across while they are covering a bit of ground which may be the difference in the end.'
ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 6 No. 1: HEADLEY GRANGE
Has been very good in both wins this campaign and set for the hat-trick.
NEXT BEST
Race 5 No. 4: SO YOU READY
Won his maiden in strong fashion before a close second. Can bounce back
VALUE BET
Race 7 No. 13: CARACORON
Nice run first-up and suited stepping up in trip.
QUADDIE
Race 4: 1, 3, 6, 8
Race 5: 3, 4, 5, 8
Race 6: 1, 2
Race 7: 3, 7, 8, 13
Ash Morgan heads to Grafton with some strong chances. Picture: Getty Images
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
ASH MORGAN has a nice book of rides and will be popular in the TAB Jockey Challenge.
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INSIDE MAIL – GRAFTON
RACE 1: Grafton Hire Super Mdn Showcase Hcp 1006m
ROCK ON ANGEL (8) resumes for a new stable. Battled away for third on debut at the Sunshine Coast last September. Sat wide and not pushed when fourth to Tribecca Star in her June 26 Murwillumbah trial. TORQUE TI AMO (11) made ground late when sixth here on debut last September. Not pushed when third in her June 22 Murwillumbah trial behind The Torque Xpress. GAYLORD (1) showed handy ability in his first campaign in Sydney including a debut second. Resumes from a long lay-off for a new stable. Nice trial win at Doomben the under a hold when fifth in his Murwillumbah heat.
Bet: Rock On Angel each-way
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RACE 2: Holiday Coast Meats Showcase Hcp (C1) 1006m
BEYOND MY KEN (5) beat Manuscript on debut at Scone last year but mixed results since. Was wide without cover when seventh at Scone last start. Drawn gate 1, Aaron Bullock rides and has some important gear changes. MOFEED (4) placed in five of his first seven starts. Returned from a long break with a two-and-a-half length all-the-way win at Scone on June 10. Kept fresh for this. STAR AMBITION (2) won at the Sunshine Coast on debut before a second at Eagle Farm. Ready to kick off this campaign after two trials wins.
Bet: Beyond My Ken to win
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RACE 3: Good Intent Hotel Country Boosted Showcase Mdn Plate 1410m
ANOTHER PEACH (4) ended last campaign with three consecutive placings. Started odds-on fav when resuming at Mudgee struggled to kick away on the wet ground when a neck second. Will be better for the run and good ground. HERALD ANGEL (6) debuted with a handy second to Divas Revenge over 1200m here on June 9. Raced wide without cover when third to Gavin at Murwillumbah last start. Drawn wide but looks suited stepping up to 1400m and gets a 2kg claim. PIEDI VELOCI (3) boxed on for second over 1315m at Coffs Harbour last start. Continues to improve.
Bet: Another Peach to win
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RACE 4: The Balanced Competitor Showcase Hcp (C3) 1410m
MONTE MAXIMUS (3) was very good winning at Casino two starts ago before heading to Rosehill for a Class 3 TAB Highway when fifth Red Rags To Bulls over 1500m. Back to 1410m. AYE AYE SKIPPER (8) has had a long campaign but continues to race consistently. Won here over 1205m on May 9. Placed two of his last three including a second to Sammy Conquers All last time out and was a close fourth in the other. TALANA (6) has place claims from a good draw.
Bet: Monte Maximus to win
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RACE 5: South Grafton Ex-servicemen's Club Showcase Plate (C1) 2220m
SO YOU READY (4) raced wide without cover when fifth at Tamworth at his first go over 2100m. Broke his maiden with a three length at Gosford at his next start in a Class 1. Pipped by a nose at Scone last start and can go one better. FULMEN FILOU (3) is building towards his second career win. Came up from Victoria and finished a head third at Inverell over 1800m before jumping up to 2240m here when a nose second to Justice Served. Went back from the wide gate when second to Off The Scale last start. BRIGHT THE SUN (8) and Bold Splendour have place claims.
Bet: So You Ready to win
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RACE 6: Grafton Toyota ****Big Dance Eligiblity*** South Grafton Cup 1610m
HEADLEY GRANGE (1) was good beating Green Shadows when resuming over 1300m at Randwick. Too good for Welwal in the Listed Civic Stakes on June 21. Is a winner over 1600m and a winner at his race debut. SIBAAQ (2) has been out of the winners circle since the Wellington Cup three years ago but has run some good races since. Worked home well for second to Pier in the Listed Wayne Wilson and a head second to The Inflictor in the Listed Tatts Mile both over 1600m at Eagle Farm. VIVY AIR (3) has claims on her close second at Eagle Farm last start. FIORSUM FRED (13) can sneak a place.
Bet: Headley Grange to win
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RACE 7: Donovan Livestock & Property Country Boosted Showcase (Bm66) 1610m
CARACORON (13) won his maiden here over 1700m last campaign before stepping up to 2110m and winning at Lismore. Kicked off this preparation with a nice closing seventh to Zouthur over 1350m at Doomben. Drawn well and the mile suits. TO BE FRANK (3) scored narrow but handy victories at Tamworth either side of a sixth to Boys Night Out in a TAB Highway at Rosehill. Two-time winner over this trip. SAXINOUE (8) went back from a wide gate and was doing his best work late when seventh here first-up. Followed with a third to Whomsonever at Murwillumbah.
Bet: Caracoron each-way