16/7/2026 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Grafton, Grafton Cup day

The Grafton Carnival continues on Thursday, headlined by the Grafton Cup (2350m). The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.

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Grafton Cup 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Grafton Cup

9 Savvyrocker (Bet Now: $26.00) looks a ridiculous price IMO. Thought she was outstanding in defeat in the John Carlton Cup, closing strongly in inferior ground behind My Mum’s Toyboy. The rise to 1400m is ideal, Dolan sticks, she’ll stalk the speed and be strong late. Only runs well.

2 Lady Lucifer (Bet Now: $3.30) is several weeks between runs since a win over 1350m at Doomben, leading throughout and had enough in hand to score. She does seem to race best on the fresh side, should land on speed and only run well.

10 Chica Del Mar (Bet Now: $8.00) was pretty good on Sunday at this track/distance, closing off pretty well against the race shape. Harder here but in an astute camp, I wouldn’t be entirely dismissing her here.

2 Comic Culture (Bet Now: $3.00) looks the straight bat option for Rob Potter. He last raced on June 12 at Canberra Acton when off speed and kept chasing in a pretty good effort behind Neeson, who I think is a Highway class animal, so that reads well for this and a tick over trial was quite good.

5 Almost Maybe (Bet Now: $5.50) steps up to 1400m after racing over 1200m her just under two weeks ago. He got into a decent spot in transit and tried hard but couldn’t quite get there. Tricky gate but with luck, is dangerous against these.

12 Vega Nova (Bet Now: $151.00) contested the same race that Almost Maybe contested, won by Red Spencer. He got a fair way out of his ground but worked home really well late in the piece. If he can get a drag into the race, he can win without surprising.

Happy to have a throw at the stumps in the shape of 3 Telegraph (Bet Now: $46.00). I think he’s racing very well, much better than what the form guide says. He ran over 1000m at Taree last start and worked home pretty well without threatening. If he can use the inside gate to advantage, he’ll only run well.

15 Manpower (Bet Now: $2.70) gains a start in the race which doesn’t have a lot of depth in it. He ran well at Toowoomba last time out where he was the odds on favourite without impressing. The market suggests he is a talented horse and i’m happy to give him another chance here in a weak field.

2 Cool Fizz (Bet Now: $26.00) is a Brett Dodson trained mare that resumes. This girl is first up, having not raced since Jan 3 when placing at Bowraville. Looks to have trialled well for the return and has a good racing style.

It’s a race in two for mine. But, I have loved what I have seen from the trials of 10 Triple Seven (Bet Now: $10.00), notably the latest at Hawkesbury when a narrow but looked full of running and had plenty up the sleeve. He should land on speed and take beating.

8 Royal Exile (Bet Now: $1.50) is the only other winning hope. He resumes for Jenny Graham, having not raced sinc the Autumn when far from disgraced in the Inglis Millennium. Loved his recent trial win, maps to stalk the speed and be effective late.

9 Slippin Away (Bet Now: $15.00) won the Prelude and was impressive from the front, leading throughout and gave nothing else a look in to win and win well. More depth here, but with the racing style, will give himself every chance.

16 Zalique (Bet Now: $1.55) is the horse to beat here after some key scratchings. He resumes for Matty Dunn after a two run Summer prep where he was far from disgraced each time he stepped out. Loved his trial work for the return and gets Nash aboard.

5 By The Way (Bet Now: $5.00) is stepping in grade a bit here from stronger maidens. Here debut was good where she was heavily backed in the market. Again last time out in a good quality maiden at Eagle Farm she was heavily backed but was a bit disappointing. The market says she has some ability and it won’t take much to win this race.

12 Parker’s Paradise (Bet Now: $67.00) has race well at his two career starts in lesser quality maidens. He looks to be a horse who should continue to improve and on top of the ground we could see her winning at a big price.

16 Tartaglia (Bet Now: $5.50) did the right thing by me last Thursday at Gosford and confident he can repeat the dose. Class got him home last week, lumping the big weight on the bog and finished best. Gets weight relief, firmer footing, and off a win, should prove hard to beat.

5 Ravalli (Bet Now: $5.00) steps back in trip for Rob Potter after racing over 1280m at Canberra Acton when off speed and kept chasing in a good effort in defeat behind Who But Roo. He’ll be strong late. Just depends what start he concedes.

4 Night Fighter (Bet Now: $19.00) is a Sue Grills trained gelding that resumes. His last run came on Jan 22 on the home deck at Tamworth when just off speed and tried hard when second to Chandon Star. He gets Bullock to ride fresh and can sprint well first up so watch betting.

I don’t think you can go wrong backing 5 So You Are (Bet Now: $5.50) 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.

11 King Pedro (Bet Now: $2.35) 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.

6 Caboche (Bet Now: $15.00) I thought ran a really good race behind Thebudgiesmugla last time out who has plenty of ability. This race doesn’t look any harder and if he can get a decent run from barrier 8 I think he could be right in the finish at good each way odds. Plus he is trained by C Waller which never hurts.

3 Emperor (Bet Now: $4.20) is the straight bat play in the get out. Matty Dunn trained gelding who has been kept on the fresh side, his latest run seeing him be far from disgraced in the Ascot Handicap behind Monte Supreme. He seems to race best with fresh legs and be dangerous at the end.

7 Durova (Bet Now: $4.00) is a Cam Crockett trained mare that is first up. She ran over 1100m during the Scone Carnival in May when down the track behind Wanaruah. Resumes without a public trial but first up here clearly signals intent.

12 Chandon Star (Bet Now: $18.00) attempted to lead throughout in the Coonamble Cannonball and tried hard but just couldn’t quite see it through and tired late. Doubt I could back her to win but with her racing style, she’ll give herself every chance.

BEST BET: Race Four Number 10 Triple Seven

NEXT BEST: Race Seven Number 5 So You Are

LONG SHOT: Race Five Number 14 Nozomu

Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):

Leg One: 5, 12, 16

Leg Two: 4, 5, 11, 16

Leg Three: 5, 6, 11

Leg Four: 3, 7, 12

$50 Investment = 46.25% of the dividend if successful

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