Tips and race by race preview by Nick Berney for Thursday’s Grafton meeting. Selections based on a soft track. Monitor for bias/pattern.

Race 1 - 12:20PM FIDELITY CAPITAL (AUSTRALIA) BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1000 M)

6. Star Magnum chased a fast tempo first-up at Eagle Farm 15 days ago and battled on well to hold third place. The four-year-old gelding improved significantly second-up last preparation and won dominantly, producing a career peak figure in a similar grade. Further, he led at a moderate tempo that day but accelerated away from his rivals, running the fastest final 600m split of the entire meeting in 34.24, and a repeat of that effort will make him hard to catch. The Matthew Dunn trained galloper will roll forward, has a strong starting price profile, and is suited to this grade.

Dangers: 9. Horowitz is wound up for this event after two solid trials. The five-year-old gelding can be positive out of the gates from barrier one, and Tommy Berry rides for the first time. Definite chance. 10. Tango Stepz was impressive, winning at Scone last start and sprinting away from her rivals to win in style. She will get back from the draw but expect her to be savaging the line. Add 11. Baiyka and 3. Abdicating to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Star Magnum WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Race 2 - 12:55PM CORBETT EARTHMOVING PTY LTD THE BIG MAIDEN (1175 M)

16. Costa De Oro was kept safe in the market first-up at Gosford 21 days ago when specked $7.0-$6.5 late in the trade. The three-year-old filly was suited to sitting outside the leader in a slow tempo but tried hard to the line. Further, that race produced a high-rating last sectional figure. The Matthew Dunn trained galloper drops back to country grade, rolls forward, and any improvement off her first-up effort will put her right in the finish. Each-way.

Dangers: Stablemate 7. Aquarius was solid in defeat last start in a fast-time race. The filly has very strong form lines for this event and is well placed from a soft draw. She will undoubtedly be fitter, and the rise in distance is ideal. 6. Our Kiwi Princess will have to overcome a tricky draw but is coming out of time/sectional merit races throughout her career. Expect her to be hitting the line hard. 8. Galbalan is an honest type and deserves a win. Add 2. Flying Deputy and 12. Daedalus to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Costa De Oro E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Race 3 - 1:35PM THE PROVEDORES CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400 M)

6. Field Wiri was outstanding in defeat behind a potential group class galloper in Frumos last start at Newcastle in a high-rating race, and she beat the rest easily. The three-year-old was not suited to a slow tempo and made a long-wide sustained run, clocking her final 600m split in 36.15. She is on an upwards ratings spiral this preparation and indicates she can improve/step again. The filly will be suited to an anticipated genuine tempo and has multiple winning figures for this event.

Dangers: 9. Kokoro resumes and has always promised ability. He has trialled well enough for this and is a key late market watch. 2. Bullet Wing can bounce back on a drier track, and 7. Karaoke King must go in all exotics.

How to play it: Field Wiri WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Race 4 - 2:10PM SKY RACING WORLD MOTHER'S GIFT (1400 M)

6. Oakfield Arrow resumed at Rosehill 12 days ago in extremely testing conditions and was specked $12-$10 in the market. Further, the mare led at a strong tempo before fitness gave out, and she battled on ok to hold fourth place. The Kristen Buchanan trained galloper improved significantly second-up last preparation and produced a career peak figure. Additionally, she had every chance that day but sprinted away from her rivals in style and repeating that effort can put her in the finish. She maps to control the pace and the drying surface suits. Each-way.

Dangers: Import 5. Soffika has had three trials, and her latest hit-out showed she is ready to run well and is wound up for this. The five-year-old mare is lightly raced and has strong overseas form lines. Expect her to be savaging the line. 7. Sequana got too far back last start and was checked/blocked at critical stages. The four-year-old mare can settle much closer from the softer draw and races best off a freshen-up. 10. Rivabrook returned a dominant winner and market watch on 2. Tara Jasmine.

How to play it: Oakfield Arrow E/W ($12.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Race 5 - 2:50PM NBN NEWS SPRINGBOARD TO FAME 2YO PLATE (1200 M)

14. Russian Warrior was on an upwards ratings spiral last preparation and went out a dominant winner. Further, the two-year-old resumes here and has trialled well in fast time/sectionals and is ready to run well. The filly will need a perfect ride but has the ability/figures to overcome the wide draw. In addition, expect her to look for cover early and unleash her customary sprint late.

Dangers: 3. Fashion Legend was checked/blocked at a critical stage on debut at Kensington 15 days ago and picked himself back up to finish off well. Blinkers go on for the first time, and he maps to have all favours. 7. Mr Tobasco, who represents value, is rock-hard fit and in-form. He hit the line hard last start to score at Taree and will be running on again. 1. Durnstein bolted in at this track 9 days ago and won eased down. He faces stronger opposition but can improve again. Add 9. Deep Opinions to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Russian Warrior WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Race 6 - 3:25PM VILLAGE GREEN HOTEL COUNTRY MAGIC ASSOCIATION C6 (1175 M)

Hard to go past 9. Parksville who has trialled well in fast time/sectionals and wasn't extended in his latest heat at Coffs Harbour. The four-year-old races well fresh and will roll forward with a favourable map. The Brett Dodson trained galloper has strong form-lines throughout his career and has a string of figures that can win this race.

Dangers: 19. Crowned Empress is a knockout chance coming out of a high-rating race, and she improves when getting deeper into her prep. Further, she receives a senior metropolitan rider for the first time and expect her to hit the line hard. 8. Tuscon Valley is as consistent as they come winning her past four starts and it is most definitely a chance here. 15. Boncassie is suited in this grade and add 1. Aheadofhistime in all exotics from a soft draw.

How to play it: Parksville WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds) & Crowned Empress WIN ($61 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Race 7 - 4:05PM SOUTHSIDE PHARMACY GRAFTON CUP (2350 M)

Import 5. Youth Spirit was solid in his Australian debut at Rosehill 26 days ago, and his final few bounds/work past the post suggested he can improve significantly second-up. The four-year-old has elite Group 1 form-lines from overseas last prep and brings multiple winning figures for this event. Further, although well beaten, he started a respectable $26 in the Group 1 Cazoo Derby. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained galloper will be fitter, the rise in distance suits, the rain-affected ground is ideal, and he has a positive map.

Dangers: He is hard to catch but forgiving of 7. Alakahan's last start, where he was 28 days between runs, had the bias against and struck an extremely testing track. He can bounce back, and if he can repeat his prior start, that figure/effort will put him in the finish. 2. Dr Drill comes from the same race as Youth Spirit and has the starting price advantage over him. Additionally, he had the bias against and ran on well. Expect him to map in a forward position and race well. 1. Berdibek lost all his momentum at a critical stage last start and then proceeded to race in the inferior ground. Hugh Bowman goes back on, and he is another hope in an open contest. 6. Arapaho, in career-best form, is rock-hard fit and must go in all exotics.

How to play it: Youth Spirit WIN ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds) & Alakahan WIN ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Race 8 - 4:40PM SIR JAMES KIRBY HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

11. Hidden Hail who resumes, represents value, and has trialled well in fast time/sectionals. The five-year-old races well fresh and produced his career peak figure first-up last preparation that aligns well relative to his opposition. Additionally, the gelding has a strong record over the specialist distance. Expect him to roll forward and give a sight.

Dangers: 1. Tavisan has trialled well enough and is wound up for this event. The six-year-old gelding has strong form lines, maps to have all favours, and jockey Hugh Bowman rides for the first time. 8. Ice In Vancouver is a consistent type with a fantastic record. He will undoubtedly be in the finish and receives a senior metropolitan jockey for the first time in his career. 5. Cardiff can bounce back on a drier track and must go in all exotics.

How to play it: Hidden Hail WIN ($14 TAB Fixed Odds) & Tavisan WIN ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Best Bet Race 3 # 6 – Field Wiri

Next Best Race 4 # 6 – Oakfield Arrow E/W

Best Value Race 8 # 11 – Hidden Hail & # 1 - Tavisan