Grafton Preview & Best Bets – 06/02/2024

Grafton Tips for Tuesday, February 6

Our form expert provides Grafton tips for today’s horse racing at Grafton Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 5:  No.12  TOSEN DREAMER  

Local galloper, TOSEN DREAMER has been a model of consistency of late and now four starts into this campaign, she should be ready to produce her best today. Last start, the Tosen Stardom mare made it four-straight podium finishes when she took home third prize in a Ballina Maiden over 1590m. That made it eight-straight minor money results which must be frustrating for connections, no one more so than trainer Samantha McGuren. McGuren’s husband (Matthew) was aboard the mare last start but today’s assignment is in the hands of Ben Looker who finished runner-up on the four-year-old at his only previous ride. Back on home soil today and drawn ideally in gate two, the scene looks set for her to break the run of outs and grab that illusive first win today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 3:  No.5  COOL SHALAA 

The Brett Dodson-trained COOL SHALAA resumes off a five-month break today and after impressing in a recent trial, looks ready to rock here. On debut, the Shalaa filly led from barrier to box and hung on to win an 805m Maiden at Coffs Harbour. Spelled immediately, she returned to work last month and cruised to the line in an 800m trial, putting more than two lengths on them that day. Adin Thompson is the pilot for this assignment and from gate four she will probably lead on settling. Left alone to dictate the speed, she will take catching here.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 6:  No.2  EAGLE HAWK STAR 

Stephen Lee saddles-up EAGLE HAWK STAR here who is second-up and over a little more ground, looks a serious contender for the major prize today. Last start, the Star Turn gelding resumed off a lengthy seven-month absence and had his first start for the Lee stable (after transferring across from the Greg Eurell camp) and wasn’t disgraced when finishing fifth in a BM74 Hcp over 1000m on his (new) home track at Ballina. From last on the turn, he past almost half the field to be beaten less than three lengths on the day. That was his first look at a NSW track and fitter for that run, he should be showing some improvement in this contest. His resume shows two wins and three minor placings over the 1200m trip and second-up today, he looks great value on paper and well worth an each-way ticket here.