Scone Racing Tips 17 August 2026 — can Bullock boss this card?
Grafton Racing Tips 18 Aug — can Rich Star do it again?
Grafton Racing Tips 18 Aug — can Rich Star do it again?
There are tracks where a horse just grows another leg, and on the evidence we’ve got, Rich Star treats Grafton like home. Four runs here, three wins, and he’s never missed the placings. That’s not a vibe, that’s a pattern you can actually lean on.
So today’s Grafton meeting (five races on turf) becomes a simple question: do you side with the proven Grafton animal in the BM66, or do you try to be clever and take him on with something that’s trending the right way? I’ve gone through the map, the barriers, the weights, and the course angles. These Grafton racing tips are written to get you in, get you an opinion, and get you out without wasting your day on noise.
Grafton — the setup
We don’t get much “deep specialist” evidence across the card. Most of these runners have one or two visits to the track, so you treat those as notes, not gospel. The one horse who does bring proper, repeatable Grafton form is Rich Star (4 starts here for 3 wins and a second).
On the human side, there’s one clear track operator. A Mallyon has ridden 29 times at Grafton for 11 wins and 20 placings. That’s the kind of volume where the percentage actually means something, and it’s a genuine edge when he lands on the right horse.
Trainer angle: M J Dunn is the meeting’s gravitational pull. He’s had 71 runners at Grafton for 17 wins and 45 placings. That’s not a “nice record”, that’s a stable who targets this joint and consistently lands runners in the fight.
Ladbrokes Review [Updated March 2026] | Ladbrokes.com.au Pros & Cons
- Info Hub
- Mates Mode
Jockeys worth respecting at Grafton (min 5 rides)
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Mallyon | 29 | 11 | 20 | 37.93 | 68.97 |
| Nick Heywood | 22 | 4 | 13 | 18.18 | 59.09 |
| Benjamin Osmond | 11 | 2 | 6 | 18.18 | 54.55 |
Trainers who consistently fire here (min 5 runners)
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M J Dunn | 71 | 17 | 45 | 23.94 | 63.38 |
| K A Lees | 11 | 4 | 7 | 36.36 | 63.64 |
| C R Manson | 6 | 3 | 4 | 50.00 | 66.67 |
Race-by-race
Race 1: Crjc Premiership Winners Race Day Country Boosted Mdn Plate — 13:15, 1121m
Monsieur Wolf gets me early. Two starts, two solid efforts (3rd then 4th), and he’s drawn gate 3 which is exactly where you want to be in a short dash: close enough to hold a spot, not trapped on the paint if it chops up. R Spokes sticks, and while his Grafton numbers aren’t flash overall, this is more about the horse profile than the rider stats.
The race shape looks friendly for anything that can take a position and quicken. Some of these are either first starters or have shown very little, and the ones with exposed form like Kobi Express have had enough chances. Kobi’s got four goes at Grafton for no placings and an average finish in the sevens, and from gate 5 he still needs to find something he hasn’t shown here.
The danger I’d have in mind is Sizzling Suzie. She’s only had the one start (a 3rd), and second-up improvement in these maidens can be savage if she finds the right trail from gate 8.
Play: Win bet Monsieur Wolf. Small quinella saver with Sizzling Suzie if you want a bit of cover.
Race 2: Buy A Kosciuszko Ticket Now (Bm66) — 13:50, 1121m
The market can do whatever it likes, I’m still starting with Rich Star. Four runs at Grafton for three wins and a second is proper course form, and he turns up again with a workable draw (3). He carries 133.3, but this is the kind of horse who runs the same time whether he’s got a picnic rug or a feather on his back.
What makes him even easier to trust is that he isn’t coming in cold. His recent form line reads 4-21112</strong. He’s been living in the first two for a while, and this track clearly suits the way he travels and lets down.
Dance Gavin Dance is the obvious danger, and I respect him because he’s actually arriving in form too (11031). From gate 2 he should get the soft run right on Rich Star’s hammer. If Rich Star gets posted deep or overdoes it early, this is the one who can pinch it.
Don’t ignore Credit Controller for multiples either. He’s drawn awkwardly in 11, but he did run a placing on his only start here. That’s a data point, not a trend, but it tells you he handles the track.
Play: Win bet Rich Star. Exacta saver Rich Star and Dance Gavin Dance.
Race 3: Congratulations Jett Newman Mdn Plate — 14:25, 1892m
This is where I want the horse who’s been knocking loudly rather than the one who’s “due” because the calendar says so. Laurie’s Quill has had two starts for a 3rd and then a 0, and I’m prepared to forgive the flat one if it came with any sort of excuse because the upside is there. From gate 2, Yvette Lewis can land him in the first four without spending petrol, and that matters over 1892m at country tempo.
The stable I’m most wary of is D Chujo because he’s got a couple engaged, but his overall Grafton record doesn’t scream dominance. This becomes more about which horse is suited by the trip. Junostar gets barrier 1 which is appealing, but his two course runs here have been plain and he hasn’t shown the sort of finish you want stepping to nearly 1900.
The danger is Nukatabe (03) coming in with a bit of upside and the light weight (116.8). If the three-year-old relaxes, they can make older maidens look very one-paced late.
Play: Each-way Laurie’s Quill. Save on Nukatabe if the price is right.
Race 4: Congratulations Andrew Mallyon Mdn Hcp — 15:05, 1564m
Here’s the puzzle: do you side with the horse that’s already shown it can run a race, or do you take the Dunn stable depth and hope they’ve found the right one? I’m with Divine Mandate. He’s only had the one start and he ran 2nd, and in maidens that’s often the cleanest lead you get. He carries 132.2, but that’s the handicap saying “you’re better than these”.
Gate 7 gives D Peisley options, and I’d expect him to be positive without being silly. This race has a few runners with exposed, moderate form and a few with jockeys not declared in the feed, which usually means you’re betting blind a bit. So I’ll take the known quantity.
The danger is Zweigelt from the Dunn yard, with A Mallyon aboard. If you want one booking to respect all day, it’s that: Mallyon wins better than a third of his rides here and hits the frame nearly 70% of the time at this track. Barrier 11 isn’t ideal, but if he slides across without doing too much, he can still be the best horse in the race.
Play: Win bet Divine Mandate. Smaller saver win bet Zweigelt if the market lets you.
Race 5: Congratulations Matthew Dunn Country Boosted Hcp (C1) — 15:40, 1564m
This is the best betting race on the card because the map, the stable, and the course clues all point to one horse. Torque So Hot comes through the Dunn yard, draws gate 3, and his recent form says he’s right where you want him: 54-271</strong. He’s also won on his only start at Grafton, which is a nice note without getting carried away.
Now add the rider. Nick Heywood rides Grafton well (22 rides for 4 wins and 13 placings), and he’s the sort of jockey who’ll have this horse in the right rhythm early, not chasing cheap sectionals and not giving away track position.
I can see the danger clearly: You Are Mind (draw 6) with A Mallyon for the same stable. He’s also won on his only start here, and while that’s only one data point, it tells you the horse handles the unique little asks of the track. The question is whether the stablemate dynamic turns this into a sit and sprint, or whether one of them gets used to create pressure.
Nozomu is going the right way too (3-5821), but gate 13 at 1564m is a hard way to live unless you’ve got a plan and the legs to execute it.
Play: Win bet Torque So Hot. Quinella Torque So Hot and You Are Mind as the saver combo.
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
The plays
NAP: Torque So Hot (Race 5, 15:40). The Dunn stable knows how to win at Grafton, and this bloke has the draw to control his own story. The recent strike reads like a horse who’s come through his prep and found the right grade.
Value: Laurie’s Quill (Race 3, 14:25) each-way. You’re buying upside in a staying maiden, and gate 2 means he won’t need to be a star to land in the first three if he relaxes and runs it out.
Banker for multis: Rich Star (Race 2, 13:50). This isn’t a one-run fluke. Three wins from four at the track is the rare bit of genuine course confidence on the program.
Each-way: Divine Mandate (Race 4, 15:05). Second on debut, and the handicapper hasn’t missed him. He can be the best horse in the race even under the weight.
Course angle: If you’re playing Grafton predictions blind, start by checking whether M J Dunn has a runner. 71 Grafton starters for 45 placings is sustained pressure on the meeting, not a lucky day.
Next meeting, watch how the market treats A Mallyon when he jumps on the right one here. At this track he turns a “chance” into a bet more often than most.
FAQ
What time does racing start at Grafton today?
Racing starts at 13:15 with Race 1, the Crjc Premiership Winners Race Day Country Boosted Maiden Plate over 1121m.
Who are the top jockeys and trainers at Grafton?
On today’s numbers, A Mallyon is the standout jockey at Grafton with 11 wins from 29 rides and 20 placings. Trainer-wise, M J Dunn has the strongest long-term Grafton profile: 71 runners for 17 wins and 45 placings.
What are the best bets at Grafton today?
My Grafton best bets are Torque So Hot in Race 5 (won on his only Grafton start and drawn to get the right run) and Rich Star in Race 2 (four Grafton runs for three wins and a second).
Where can I find the best odds for Grafton races?
Prices can shift late in country racing, so the best approach is to compare bookmakers close to jump time. Odds weren’t available in the feed at time of writing, but you can still shop around via your preferred bookie or exchanges before you bet. If you want a quick starting point, check the bookie panels on RacingBase for the main markets.
Responsible gambling
Support & Resources: If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
Affiliate disclosure: RacingBase may earn a commission if you click through and sign up or place a bet with affiliated partners. This helps fund our coverage and keeps the site free to read.
