A strong field has been assembled for the Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday, with the staying contest the feature event of the Carnival.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Grafton Cup.
2025 Grafton Cup Runner Preview:
1. Belvedere Boys: Class runner and gets B Shinn. He was as game as ever in the McKell Cup last time but just couldn’t quite get there. Hard fit, up in trip, he clearly appeals despite the game.
2. Touristic: Hit and miss type. Best is good enough but for mine, he goes through to the keeper.
3. Glory Daze: He ran a game third in the McKell Cup when near the speed and he was courageous in defeat. He’s racing like 2350m suits and has a good racing style.
4. Nikau Spur: Thought he’d run well at the Sunny Coast but he was plain. He goes through to the keeper.
5. Bear On The Loose: Bear On The Loose is knocking on the door. He tried his guts out in the Caloundra Cup at the Sunny Coast. He got into a decent spot off speed and tried hard but had no answers late for impressive winner Half Yours. Lands near the front, only runs well.
6. Little Mix: Little Mix is worthy of a throw at the stumps for mine. Team Archibald trained mare that comes through the Tatts Crown where she got back to near last in the run and against the pattern, she did make up ground without threatening and wasn’t too bad in defeat. Genuine tempo here, hard fit, she’s an each way speck.
7. Quietness: She has that sense of timing about her after two encouraging runs to start the prep. Hard fit and up in trip, she appeals as a key threat.
8. Zoology: Gutsy win at Doomben on Saturday but that race was quite weak and this looks much harder.
9. Don Diego De Vega: Didn’t get the best of runs in the Caloundra Cup but he just whacked in the run to the line. He can win without me.
10. Felix The Scat: He stuck on really well in defeat in the Caloundra Cup. If he holds his form, he runs top four/five. But he needs to improve to win.
11. Tapildoodledo: Sneaky good run late in the piece in the Caloundra Cup and can be ridden with far more intent. For wider exotics, he can be entertained.
12. Bacio Del Mist: Bacio Del Mist is a beauty for Team Curtis that comes here off the back of a triumph in the Stayers Cup. She got a peach ride by Collett and in a driving go, finished best to score. Trip is no issue, will do no work in the run…a threat for sure.
13. Dillian: I want to find him because I do think the engine is there. But just think he may need juice in the track and suspect the track will be a road.
14. Pure Deal: Won the Prelude, but it was a terrible race. Pass.
15. Go Millo: Making up the numbers.
16. Charmed Destiny: SCR
2025 Grafton Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Little Mix
2025 Grafton Cup Odds
2025 Grafton Cup Speed Map
Go Millo is fitter and up in trip so I suspect he goes forward. But, I do think Bear On The Loose looks the leader, and comfortably. Dillian can settle handy if they use the gate to advantage. Nikau Spur as well can be handy while does Shinn take bad luck out of the wide gate and press forward.
