The Grafton Carnival continues on Sunday, headlined by the South Grafton Cup (1610m), a Big Dance Qualifier.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 South Grafton Cup.
2025 South Grafton Cup Runner Preview:
1. Headley Grange: He is the best horse in the race, by some distance. Just the weight and 1600m are the two knocks for me to say he’s a bit on the short side. He can win, clearly, but at the price, not a betting propostion.
2. Sibaaq: He tried his guts out at Eagle Farm last time but was no match for The Inflictor. I think take bad luck out of the equation, roll forward and ride him like he’s the best horse in the race. Clear danger.
3. Vivy Air: I have fallen into her plenty of times but she has failed to get the job done so for me, she goes through to the keeper.
4. Caboche: 2000m back to the mile is a proven formula for Chris Waller but just not sure this horse is good enough.
5. Cranky Harry: Ran in The Inflictor race mentioned above. Did early work but was still poor late so cannot entertain.
6. Demon Darb: He looks the map horse but last start in the Wayne Wilson, to me, screamed out of an end of prep run. Not for me.
7. Uzziah: SCR
8. Boys Night Out: Matty Dunn has this guy flying, albeit in much easier races than this. He can win, if ridden with intent. But again, just too short.
9. Itza Charmdeel: Not going well enough to trouble these.
10. Wild Chap: Reckon he has eyes on the Coffs Harbour Cup, but after two runs back, he needs more racing. Pass.
11. Indifference: Just lacks the class/quality to be around the mark.
12. Point Counterpoint: He just seems a ridiculous price. He ran in the Sawtell Cup last start and was quite good in defeat I thought from the back, clocking decent late splits. Maps to stalk a genuine tempo and he will be strong late. Happy to back each way.
13. Fiorsum Fred: Handy animal but needs it much easier.
14. Starzam: Sawtell Cup winner but was seriously advantaged by the track pattern suiting up/in. Harder here, pass.
15. To Be Frank: SCR
16. Annulus: SCR
2025 South Grafton Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Point Counterpoint
2025 South Grafton Cup Odds
2025 South Grafton Cup Speed Map
Sibaaq and Wild Chap, I think, will want to press forward, likewise Headley Grange, who is the best horse in the race but has a wide gate. Demon Darb won’t be far away from the inside gate while Boys Night Out may press forward from a wide draw.