The feature race at Grafton this Thursday is the Grafton Cup (2350m), where King Pedro dominates betting.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Grafton Cup.
2026 Grafton Cup Runner Preview:
1. Encoder: Given an all time ride in the Ipswich Cup but just couldn’t quite peg back Kaluakoi. Maps to get a sweet sit in transit and be effective late. Commands respect.
2. Pounding: He is racing so damn well…just can’t crack it for a win, keeps finding one better. He’ll be around the mark…but I can’t back to win.
3. Etna Rosso: Didn’t do a bad job in the Tatts Cup and has the Waller polish but I have others ahead of him.
4. Kaluakoi: Takes bad luck out of the equation when rolling forward and will do so again here, but not sure he can lead throughout.
5. So You Are: I don’t think you can go wrong backing So You Are each way. He was a little unlucky in the Caloundra Cup…whether he was beating Thebudgiesmugla, not sure, but for mine he should have fought the finish out. If the breaks go his way, I think he’ll run a beauty here.
6. Caboche: Did a good job in the Caloundra Cup but just think he lacks the killer blow.
7. Black Run: Safely held behind King Pedro at Rosehill and can’t entertain him here.
8. Les Vampires: Good racing style but aiming too high IMO.
9. Prince Levi: If they go silly in front, he can finish off strongly, but does need things to fall into place.
10. Zibulon: Lacks a turn of foot but will be strong late and wasn’t bad in the Caloundra Cup. One for exotics.
11. King Pedro: King Pedro is short enough but he does look the most progressive of this lot. He didn’t beat much in the Stayers Cup at Rosehill last start but the way in which he went about it was quite impressive. Good test here but confident he’ll measure up.
12. Firm Agreement: Firm Agreement is one I can entertain for exotics for Team Archibald at a decent price. He had the A1 run in transit at Ipswich last time, he had to put them away and he rightfully did. His confidence is up now, he can go on with it and run well at this level.
13. Sounds Unusual: SCR
14. Valentine John: Yeah…nah.
2026 Grafton Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place So You Are
2026 Grafton Cup Speed Map
Looks pretty straight forward here with three runners wanting to settle on speed, namely Les Vampires, Black Run and Kaluakoi. That trio should generate a good tempo with So You Are getting the dream run in behind.
Grafton Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ENCODER | Michael Freedman | Boris Thornton | 4 | 58kg |
| 2 | POUNDING | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 6 | 58kg |
| 3 | ETNA ROSSO (IRE) | Chris Waller | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | 9 | 56kg |
| 4 | KALUAKOI | Chris & Corey Munce | Ms Tahlia Fenlon | 7 | 55kg |
| 5 | SO YOU ARE | Stirling Osland | Ben Looker | 2 | 55kg |
| 6 | CABOCHE (NZ) | Chris Waller | Ms Alysha Collett | 8 | 54.5kg |
| 7 | BLACK RUN (FR) | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 14 | 54.5kg | |
| 8 | LES VAMPIRES | Lucy Longmire | Ms Anna Roper (a) | 1 | 54.5kg |
| 9 | PRINCE LEVI | William Kropp | Mark Du Plessis | 12 | 54.5kg |
| 10 | ZIBULON (FR) | Paul Preusker | Robbie Dolan | 11 | 54.5kg |
| 11 | KING PEDRO (NZ) | Tom Charlton | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 54.5kg |
| 12 | FIRM AGREEMENT | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 13 | 54.5kg | |
| 13 | SOUNDS UNUSUAL (NZ) | Chris Waller | Jake Bayliss | 5 | 54.5kg |
| 14 | VALENTINE JOHN (IRE) | Anthony Warren | Jean Van Overmeire | 3 | 54.5kg |
Grafton Cup Odds
