Grafton Preview & Best Bets – Sunday 28/01/2024

Grafton Tips 28/01/2024

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.6  COASTAL RAIDER  

Locally-trained by Tony Newing, COASTAL RAIDER is second-up today and sporting a major gear change, looks set to challenge strongly for victory. Last start, the Denman mare was fresh off a 19-week break when she claimed third prize in a Class 1 Hcp over 1012m at Coffs Harbour. The stable fit a tongue tie for the first time today as Matty McGuren returns for his fourth ride on the mare. Fitter for this contest, she will appreciate the step up in trip today, having already won over 1200m. Placed twice in both second-up appearances to date, she looks in the mix here.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 5:  No.2  GREAT SOUTHERNLAND  

Coffs Harbour-based galloper, GREAT SOUTHERNLAND has the found the podium in all three starts this preparation and today looks set to finally break through for his first career-win. Last start, the Fastnet Rock gelding came off consecutive runner-up finishes when he placed third in a 1300m Maiden on his home track. In a three-way for victory that day, he ended up on the wrong end of the photo-finish, beaten a neck on the line. Matty McGuren has been aboard for three runs this time in and sticks with the four-year-old today. Ideally drawn in gate two, he maps to box-seat on settling and should prove hard to hold out today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 4:  No.3  SNOW FALCON 

Grafton galloper, SNOW FALCON is in good touch of late and looks well placed here to bring up career-win number three today. Last start, the Lonhro mare beat all but one home in a BM58 over 1220m at Lismore. This looks no harder and after five starts this preparation, she will be rock-hard fit today as Matty McGuren returns for his fourth ride on the four-year-old, having already ridden her to victory previously. A trouble-free run today puts her right in the contest.