Ipswich Racing Tips 6 April 2026 — can Waller land the maiden double?
Grafton Racing Tips 7 April 2026 — is Dunn the edge?
Grafton Racing Tips 7 April 2026 — is Dunn the edge?
M J Dunn doesn’t need a pep talk at Grafton. He’s had 20 runners here for eight wins and he’s placed 14 of them, which is the sort of strike that changes how you read an otherwise tricky provincial card. Add in Andrew Mallyon, who wins 40% of his rides at this track from a proper 15-ride sample and lands in the placings nearly three runs in four, and you’ve got a clear theme for today: if the Dunn and Mallyon pair are involved in the finish, it’s not an accident.
We’ve got eight races on the turf, and most of the day’s form is lightly tied to the course itself, so I’m leaning harder on profiles, barriers, and which runners are actually trending the right way. These Grafton racing tips are written like you and I would talk it through: what I think will happen, who benefits, and where I’d put the money (or keep it in the wallet).
Grafton — the setup
Going details aren’t listed in the card, so I’m treating this as a neutral Grafton day: give yourself every chance with a gate that keeps you out of trouble, and don’t ignore horses that can roll forward and control their own luck.
Limited course form across today’s fields. Most runners have only one or two starts here, so it’s more “has handled Grafton before” than “track specialist”.
Ladbrokes Review [Updated March 2026] | Ladbrokes.com.au Pros & Cons
- Info Hub
- Mates Mode
Two angles do have enough meat on them to act on:
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Mallyon | 15 | 6 | 11 | 40.0 | 73.33 |
| Jett Newman | 22 | 5 | 11 | 22.73 | 50.0 |
| Damien Boche | 10 | 2 | 6 | 20.0 | 60.0 |
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M J Dunn | 20 | 8 | 14 | 40.0 | 70.0 |
| S B Lee | 20 | 3 | 9 | 15.0 | 45.0 |
| B D Bellamy | 18 | 2 | 5 | 11.11 | 27.78 |
Race-by-race
Race 1: Team Aidan Mother’s Day Markets 10 May 2026 Mdn Plate — 12:35, 1099m
The way I want to start the day is with Comme Ci Comme Ca (gate 1). He’s the only one in this maiden with a form line that says “I’m at the pointy end now” rather than “I’m learning”. That 760-62 profile reads like a horse that’s stopped doing things wrong and is now holding his spot when the pressure goes on. From the inside, J Watkins can either hold a forward rail or take the trail behind the speed, and at 1099m that alone is half the job.
Kissavos (gate 6) looks the obvious danger on the page. He resumed with a second after being beaten a few times last prep (5270-2), and A Mallyon is a meaningful booking at this track. If Kissavos lands in the first four without working early, he’s the one who can pinch it late.
Course angle: there’s not much you can bank on with the runners themselves here. Adam Campton’s got two in this (Aerial Artist and Betty Boom) and his Grafton record is tidy from a small sample, but it’s still a “good sign” rather than a basis to launch.
Play: Win bet Comme Ci Comme Ca. Exacta saver with Kissavos if you like a bit of cover.
Race 2: Online Tickets @ Graftontickets.Com.Au Mdn Plate — 13:10, 1868m
Here’s the puzzle: how many of these actually want 1868m? In maidens over this sort of trip, I back the horse that can hold a position and keep responding when the sprint goes on, not the one that looks pretty for 200m.
Elegant Force (gate 5) fits that map. He’s been running into the placings without winning (066433) and gets A Mallyon, which is never a quiet move around Grafton. He doesn’t need to improve lengths, he just needs the race run to suit: sit close, don’t over-race, build from the 600m.
Righteous Brother (gate 7) is the danger because he’s already knocking on the door (5-34633). D Peisley is more hit and miss at this track than Mallyon, but Righteous Brother keeps finding the line and that’s valuable at 1868m when others are throwing the towel in.
If you want a roughie with some logic, Some Girls draws gate 2 which is a gift for a horse that otherwise doesn’t scream “bet me” on recent figures. She’s had plenty of chances though, so I’m not pretending she’s a hidden weapon.
Play: Elegant Force to win. Keep it simple.
Race 3: Book A July Hospitality Package Country Boosted Mdn Hcp — 13:50, 1290m
This is the race where the shape matters most. You’ve got a couple that can be handy, and if the leaders cheapen it, it becomes a 400m dash where barriers and a rider’s timing decide everything.
Archie Maximus (gate 2) is my pick because he’s the one with a consistent pattern (625-23) and the set-up to land exactly where you want at 1290m. He’s also already placed on his only start at Grafton, which isn’t a trend yet, but it tells you he handles the place. A Mallyon takes the steering and that pushes him from “probable place” to “the one to beat”.
Amazigh Torque (gate 3) is the danger. He ran third in his only Grafton run and that’s enough to respect in a maiden handicap where plenty are still guessing. If he steps cleanly, he can sit right on Archie Maximus’ shoulder and make it a proper dogfight from the turn.
Wild card: Wild Monarch is a two-year-old stepping into this and has already placed on his only Grafton run. The talent might be there, but the age and the gate (11) force him to do something early, and I’d rather take the three-year-old with the soft run.
Play: Win bet Archie Maximus. Quinella with Amazigh Torque if you’re playing wider.
Race 4: Kensei Club Community Race Day 5 July Hcp (C1) — 14:30, 1099m
The market would normally gravitate to the last-start winners in a Class 1, but I’m treating this as a Dunn map race. Alleze (gate 2) has had the one start for the one win (1-) and now Dunn and Mallyon pair up at the track where they consistently convert chances. The barrier gives them options: lead if it’s cheap, take the sit if something insists on being a hero.
The danger is Highland Force (gate 7). He’s also a last-start winner (1) and gets B Lerena, who has ridden winners here before, but his overall Grafton numbers are nowhere near Mallyon’s. If Highland Force crosses and controls, he can steal it, because 1099m at Grafton doesn’t give you long to recover from a wide turn.
I’m not ignoring Homeland (gate 1) either. He’s got the inside, he’s been around the mark in the past (515-57), and Bella Youngberry’s place strike at the track is better than her win record suggests. If the leaders overdo it, he’s the one who can be the last horse still finding late.
Play: Win bet Alleze. Small saver on Highland Force if you think it becomes a leader’s race.
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
Race 5: Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup Day 12 July Plate (C1) — 15:05, 2425m
Two profiles collide here: the grinder that keeps turning up versus the horse that looks like it’s been placed to finally get a staying win. I want the one that will be in the race from a long way out, because 2425m is where indecision gets punished.
Sonder (gate 5) is the one I’m sticking with. He’s been placing without winning (350224) and he’s handled Grafton three times for two placings, which is an emerging pattern. Stirling Osland doesn’t have the same course muscle as Dunn, but his horses tend to be fit enough to see out these trips. From the middle draw, MS M Weir can get him into a rhythm and start improving before the sprint goes on.
Jamcart (gate 4) is the danger off pure class and consistency around this level (772187). He’s drawn to get the cosy run, and D L Turner will try to pinch it by controlling the mid-race tempo. If Jamcart gets a soft 800m, Sonder has to be good to run past him.
Don’t sleep on Alaska de Lune (gate 2) as a place play. She’s been competitive through her prep (5-41844), draws to settle closer than the big stayers usually do, and B Looker can give her a cheap run.
Play: Sonder each-way. If you’re building a multi, use him as the leg rather than trying to be too cute in a staying race.
Race 6: Gdsc Ramornie Handicap Day 15 July Hcp (C2) — 15:45, 1540m
This is my best betting race because we’ve got a runner in proper form and a few opponents who look either held or poorly set up by the draw.
Prince Of Prophets (gate 7) comes in off a win (58-431) and his last 90 days read well: three runs for a win and two placings, averaging around the top three. That’s a horse turning up to win again, not a horse fluking one. He doesn’t need to lead, but he can sit close enough to strike before the backmarkers wind up. G Spokes rides, and while his Grafton strike rate isn’t flashy, he does hit the frame often enough here to trust him in a race like this.
The danger is Patrioticintention (gate 9). He’s also a last-start winner (7-23201) and gets Grace Palmer’s claim to keep him honest at the weights. If Prince Of Prophets is forced to chase a genuinely run 1540m, Patrioticintention is the one I can see sticking on best.
If you’re hunting a knockout for multiples, Ourlegseleven (gate 3) is the “right draw, right pattern” runner (274-52). He’s not winning often, but he gives you runs where he’s in the fight at the 150m, and that’s how you land value in Class 2 handicaps.
Play: Win bet Prince Of Prophets. Small quinella with Patrioticintention.
Race 7: Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup Day 16 July Country Boosted (Bm58) — 16:25, 1759m
The market problem here is psychological: punters fall in love with the “consistent” horse, but BM58s are won by the runner that gets the right run and actually has something up its sleeve at the trip.
Alabama Girl (gate 6) brings both. Her form (516812) says she’s in the game every time, and she’s already won on one of her two starts at Grafton. Again, two runs isn’t enough to call her a course horse, but it’s enough to trust her around the turns. D Peisley rides and if he can slot in midfield with cover, she’s the one I want launching from the 500m.
Queen Of Tayrona (gate 1) is the danger because barrier 1 at 1759m is a weapon if the rider uses it properly. She’s placed once from two at Grafton and Kirk Matheson has a decent placing record at this track from a fair sample. If she gets the cheap rail run and sees daylight late, she can absolutely roll past them.
One to oppose at the likely price: Gavin carries a big weight (135.5) and his only run at this track was well back in the order. He might simply be better than these on raw ability, but he’s not getting favours.
Play: Alabama Girl to win. Save on Queen Of Tayrona if you’re worried the fence becomes gold.
Race 8: Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Cup Day 19 July (Bm82) — 17:05, 1099m
You don’t often get a BM82 where the class horse also maps to get options, but State In Texas (gate 3) is close to that. He’s been on a tear (4-1114) and his last 90 days are serious: four runs for three wins and another placing, averaging better than second. That’s not a “nice form line”, that’s a horse that keeps putting races away.
The sting is the weight (134.4). In fast 1099m races, that can blunt the final 100m, so I want him ridden with intent. Jett Newman’s familiarity with the track helps, and his Grafton record stands up over 22 rides.
The danger is Pixie Hallow (gate 1) because she gets the cosy run and she has already won at Grafton from two starts here. That’s a small sample, but it tells you she can travel and quicken around this circuit. With only 114.6 on her back, she’s the one that makes the favourite earn it.
I’ll also mention Veecee (gate 15) as the “if they overcook it” runner. She comes off a win (32-391), but the draw is ugly. She needs luck and tempo, and you don’t get to demand either.
Play: Win bet State In Texas. Saver exacta with Pixie Hallow running second, because the map screams “soft run beats big weight late”.
The plays
NAP: Prince Of Prophets (Race 6, 15:45). Last start win, and his last 90 days read like a horse that’s found the right grade and is ready to go on with it.
Value: Sonder (Race 5, 15:05) each-way. Three Grafton runs for two placings is enough to say he copes with the place, and he keeps running into money without everything going his way.
Banker: Alleze (Race 4, 14:30). One start, one win, and you’re getting Dunn and Mallyon at their best track. If you’re building a multi, this is the leg I’d rather lean on than guessing in the maidens.
Each-way anchor: Archie Maximus (Race 3, 13:50). Drawn to get the run of the race and he’s already placed on his only Grafton start.
Course angle to ride all day: When Dunn and Mallyon are paired at Grafton, they convert often enough that you should price them shorter than your gut wants to. Keep that in mind next time they team up here, especially in the sprints.
FAQ
What time does racing start at Grafton today?
Racing kicks off at 12:35 with the Team Aidan Mother’s Day Markets Maiden Plate over 1099m.
Who are the top trainers and jockeys at Grafton?
On meaningful samples, M J Dunn stands out: 8 wins from 20 runners at Grafton and he places 14 of those runners. In the saddle, A Mallyon is the clear course ace with 6 wins from 15 rides and 11 placings.
What are the best bets at Grafton today?
My strongest plays are Prince Of Prophets in Race 6 (15:45, 1540m) and Alleze in Race 4 (14:30, 1099m). For a later swing, State In Texas in the BM82 (17:05) looks the horse with the most upside despite the weight.
Where can I find the best odds for Grafton races?
Shop around with the major bookmakers and exchanges close to jump time. Odds weren’t available in the feed for this meeting, so I’d be checking prices race by race, especially in Race 5 and Race 6 where tempo and map can move the market late.
Responsible gambling
Support and resources: If gambling is causing harm, 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 links on this page and sign up or place a bet. This helps support our journalism and form analysis.
