Grafton Preview & Best Bets – 25/03/2024

Grafton Tips for Monday, March 25

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 2:  No.8  TAKEMINE

The Brett Cavanough-trained TAKEMINE has got it together at her past couple and looks set to break through here today. Last start, the Hellbent mare made it consecutive runner-up finishes when she beat all but one home in a 1200m Maiden on a Heavy 8 at Coffs Harbour. Sitting fifth on the fence to the corner, she came crossed heels and ended up near the middle of the track but really powered home to reel in the leader but was grabbed late by a swooper, leaving her with another bridesmaid finish. She draws gate four again and has Matty McGuren back in the saddle for his second ride on the mare. With a change of luck here, she can shake the monkey today and bring up that illusive first win.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 6:  No.7  NEVER ISLAND

Noel Mayfield-Smith saddles-up NEVER ISLAND here who returns from a stint in the city and looks far better placed in this company. Last start, the No Nay Never mare held her own when she finished mid-field (beaten 2.5 lengths) in a Class 3 Hcp over 1650m at Doomben. Returning to the country scene today, this is a big drop in class as she welcomes back Michael Palmer who has steered her to both career wins to date. Nicely drawn in gate three today, she maps to settle better than mid-field with cover and in this easier event, she should prove hard to beat.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 5:  No.10  RUM REVOLUTION 

Grafton galloper, RUM REVOLUTION looks a tad over the odds today and you could do worse than have something each-way on her chances in this contest. Last start, the Spirit Of Boom mare had her first start for the local Fleur Blanch stable and wasn’t disgraced when finishing fourth in a Class 1 Hcp, here over 1175m. Settling mid-field, Luke Rolls went in search of clean air and in the run home, eventually found it and while never a winning chance (at that point), the four-year-old kept chasing to finish just 2.5 lengths from the winner in the 14-strong event. Anthony Allen returns for his second ride on the mare (after steering her to victory in a 1200m Maiden at Toowoomba). Fitter for that first-up run and already a winner when second-up, offering double-figure odds here looks a little generous and an each-way ticket looks the go today.