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The Australian
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Grafton preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 13, 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. 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! '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. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 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 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 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 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 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 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 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 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 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 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 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 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 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
The Age
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Dunn confident Boys Night Out can end with Big Dance
Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn will attempt to secure Big Dance eligibility with emerging prospect Boys Night Out when the form galloper lines up in Sunday's $80,000 Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup (1610m). Boys Night Out has five wins and six placings from 16 starts and has amassed more than $200,000 in prizemoney, and Dunn believes he is capable of stepping up in grade. 'He's been racing very well,' Dunn said, while adding Boys Night Out would be his only runner in the South Grafton Cup. 'He won at Rosehill two starts ago. It was in Highway grade, but the manner in which he did it was certainly very impressive. And then he came out and got the job done at Ipswich at his latest start.' Boys Night Out has the outside barrier to contend with in the South Grafton Cup, and Jake Bayliss takes the ride with the son of No Nay Never having the minimum weight of 54 kilograms. He faces stern opposition in the shape of the Joseph Pride-prepared Headley Grange, which has 62 kilograms to contend with. Headley Grange has eight wins and seven placings from 18 starts and has won almost $600,000 in stakes. Adam Hyeronimus, who was on Headley Grange when he resumed with victory at Randwick, is back aboard in Sunday's feature. The galloper lines up on the back of a last-start win in the listed Civic Stakes in which Jason Collett was in the saddle. Annabel and Rob Archibald will be represented by Sibaaq in the South Grafton Cup with Kyle Wilson-Taylor taking the ride, while the Ciaron Maher stable has Vivy Air in the event with jockey Ashley Morgan in the saddle. Loading
News.com.au
12-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Grafton preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 13, 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. Fiorsum Fred finds the gap and powers home at Scone! ðŸ'¥ @singletonracing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 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! '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. Magical Elegance wins easily for @ANeashamRacing with @AlyshaCollett in the saddle! ðŸ'� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 10, 2025 '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 Has been very good in both wins this campaign and set for the hat-trick. NEXT BEST 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 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW ASH MORGAN has a nice book of rides and will be popular in the TAB Jockey Challenge. â– â– â– â– â– 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. â– â– â– â– â– 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 â– â– â– â– â– 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 â– â– â– â– â– 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. â– â– â– â– â– 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. â– â– â– â– â– 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. â– â– â– â– â– 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.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Dunn confident Boys Night Out can end with Big Dance
Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn will attempt to secure Big Dance eligibility with emerging prospect Boys Night Out when the form galloper lines up in Sunday's $80,000 Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup (1610m). Boys Night Out has five wins and six placings from 16 starts and has amassed more than $200,000 in prizemoney, and Dunn believes he is capable of stepping up in grade. 'He's been racing very well,' Dunn said, while adding Boys Night Out would be his only runner in the South Grafton Cup. 'He won at Rosehill two starts ago. It was in Highway grade, but the manner in which he did it was certainly very impressive. And then he came out and got the job done at Ipswich at his latest start.' Boys Night Out has the outside barrier to contend with in the South Grafton Cup, and Jake Bayliss takes the ride with the son of No Nay Never having the minimum weight of 54 kilograms. He faces stern opposition in the shape of the Joseph Pride-prepared Headley Grange, which has 62 kilograms to contend with. Headley Grange has eight wins and seven placings from 18 starts and has won almost $600,000 in stakes. Adam Hyeronimus, who was on Headley Grange when he resumed with victory at Randwick, is back aboard in Sunday's feature. The galloper lines up on the back of a last-start win in the listed Civic Stakes in which Jason Collett was in the saddle. Annabel and Rob Archibald will be represented by Sibaaq in the South Grafton Cup with Kyle Wilson-Taylor taking the ride, while the Ciaron Maher stable has Vivy Air in the event with jockey Ashley Morgan in the saddle. Loading
Mercury
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Headley Grange continues winning ways in Civic Stakes
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Headley Grange, racing's 'Mr Reliable', has surged through his grades this season and is now a stakes winner after he scored at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Trainer Joe Pride's talented sprinter has forgotten how to run anything but at his very best as he claimed the Listed $200,000 Civic Stakes (1400m). In a nine-race streak that began almost 12 months ago, Headley Grange has not missed a top two finish, winning five times. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'It's crazy,'' Pride said when asked to comment on Headley Grange's remarkable consistency. 'He was good again, it was nice to see him step up that higher grade today. 'It was a tough win and that's never easy to do in a high pressure race with plenty of opposition. 'But he's a quality horse and he has come through the grades really well.'' Headley Grange, confidently baked into $2.45 favouritism, gave Jason Collett the third leg of a winning treble when he comfortably held off Welwal ($26) to win by a half length with Astero ($51) three-quarters of a length away third. The Bjorn Baker-trained Raikkonen ($5) settled outside Headley Grange early but then lost his position when stablemate Iknowastar came across in front of him. Raikkonen then ended up on the rail behind Headley Grange but when the winner eased away from the inside to make his finishing run, Baker's sprinter stayed close to the inside and rallied late to finish an unlucky fourth. But Headley Grange was a deserving winner - and he's not finished yet. Pride revealed plans to set Headley Grange for the South Grafton Cup (1600m) on July 13. The South Grafton Cup is one of a series of races where the winner is eligible to gain a start in the $3 million The Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick on the first Tuesday in November. • It's A Knockout stuns rivals with dominant victory 'He's come back particularly well this preparation and we will go to the South Grafton Cup next,'' Pride said. 'We will try and qualify him for one of the Dances.'' Headley Grange has now scored successive wins to start his winter campaign after a brilliant first-up effort over 1300m at Royal Randwick two weeks ago. 'I don't think he was quite as sharp today as he was off that hot tempo the other day,'' Pride said. 'Maybe just second up he was a little bit vulnerable today but I would say he will bounce out of this win. 'I don't know if his best trip is 1400m or a mile (1600) yet. We want it to be a mile as there are not as many races around for 1400m races.'' Collett, who completed his treble on Headley Grange after his earlier wins on Callistemon and Lulumon, wasn't legged into the saddle on the Pride sprinter until the Civic Stakes field came out onto the track. Pride, who trained a double in successive races when Accredited won the closer, had made application to Racing NSW stewards to have Headley Grange walked out riderless from the Theatre of the Horse to the course proper. 'At the end of last preparation and again last start, when the jockey mounted Headley Grange he started to suck back and play up a bit in the yard,'' Collett explained. • Brave One's wide run no obstacle in Randwick triumph 'Joe asked the stewards if he could have me legged on last and be last onto the track and that way he is always moving forward and not in that environment. It worked as he was able to stay relaxed.'' The Civic Stakes proved an easy watch for Headley Grange backers as Collett gave the ever-consistent sprinter the smoothest of rides. 'The tempo was solid through the middle section and I had a horse travelling 'lovely' when the opportunity arose pretty early in the straight to pop off,'' Collett said. 'I did although it was a long way from home, especially at that tempo, but he just found another gear. 'When they came to him at the 150 (metres) he went again so that's a really good sign.'' Collett agreed with Pride's assertion that although Headley Grange's win wasn't as dynamic as his first-up effort, the rising five-year-old gelding showed there are better wins in store after he improved his race record to eight wins from 18 starts and nearly $600,000 prizemoney. 'The tempo of that race was different to last start,'' Collett said. 'It was genuinely run but Headley Grange has quickened off it and then he's had to tough it out. 'Both starts he has done it either way. Last start, a turn of foot and today he has had to show he was tough under pressure. They're great attributes to have – he's a really nice horse.'' Originally published as Headley Grange earns a shot at South Grafton Cup with victory in the Listed Civic Stakes at Randwick
