WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON, JULY 15, 2026
By Darren Winningham | Wednesday, July 15, 2026
WINNO is at GRAFTON for the third day of the 2026 GRAFTON CARNIVAL. It is the traditional GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB RAMONIE 2025. This day is always a special day – the 2026 RAMORNIE field is exceptional.
The track is rated ‘Good’. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit. In the past few meetings horses who led or raced on the speed had a definitive advantage – so keep your eye on this trend early in the program.
The Grafton locals and the visitors will be in attendance – with wonderful fine winter weather forecast – the Club will anticipate a massive crowd.
NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day, please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.
Race 1 CROWN HOTEL MOTEL MAIDEN
A 1000 metre race at maiden grade to start the day.
Funky Cold Medina (2) a good topical tip – it has been freezing in Grafton this week! This Gary Nielsen trained gelding has been thereabouts in his recent starts. Drawn well and has Yvette Lewis riding. Will be handy in the running and should finish off strong.
Kobi Express (4) is trained by Samantha McGuren who claimed the last race on South Grafton Cup day. She just missed out on a double after being nosed out earlier in the program. Kobi Express resumed last start at Coffs Harbour on a heavy track and appeared to just run out of condition in the final stages. With that performance under his belt, look for a solid effort here from a nice barrier drawer, and with apprentice Grace Palmer claiming 3 kilograms he looks well placed.
Prestige Prince (5) resumes here from a spell for trainer Warren Ganderton. A recent strong barrier trial would suggest that he is very forward and will sprint well fresh – Jean Van Overmeire will ride.
Farnished (1) used to be trained by Waterhouse & Bott – now trained by Aiden St Vincent – with local hoop Ben Looker aboard. He had a recent trial on the track where he wasn't really asked to do anything. The Sydney metropolitan form would suggest that he should be competitive in this field despite his huge weight and his poor barrier draw – barrier 17.
Sweet September (15) resumes after a 33-week spell and a change of trainer and location. Now with the Matthew Dunn yards – Aaron Bullock will ride.
A definite rough chance to the Sally Taylor trained Magic All Around (13) who was dismal first up on a heavy track – look for a massive improvement on top of the ground.
Selections:
2 – Funky Cold Medina
4 – Kobi Express
5 – Prestige Prince
1 – Farnished
Rough chances – (15) Sweet September & (13) Magic All Around
Race 2 INGLIS BONUS SUPER MAIDEN SHOWCASE PLATE
This is a race over 1700 metres – maiden class – a large field.
Waterhouse & Bott train Audaciously Frank (1). He was the victim of poor circumstances at his last start at Kembla Grange over a mile. He got too far back in the running, got steadied, got checked and then made solid ground to only go down in the narrowest of margins on the line. I think from barrier 1 look for a more positive ride from Louis Beuzelin.
Kris Lees trains Firey Truth (4) with Aaron Bullock aboard. He is third-up in this preparation and looks ideally placed. His last start was on the heavy track at Taree over 1400 metres where he made steady ground late suggesting that this distance is ideal for him third up.
Chris Waller trains Edge Of Infinity (11) with Andrew Adkins to ride. He has been racing in Queensland without much luck recently and the step up in distance may test him, but there appears to be solid support for this runner since the markets have opened and the money has flooded in for him so you must respect the early market move.
Divil A Bit (3) is trained at Beaudesert by Ruby Chatterton – is at massive odds – Kirk Matheson to ride. Keep this runner in your exotics.
Selections:
1 – Audaciously Frank
4 – Firey Truth
11 – Edge Of Infinity
9 – Aurora Effect
Race 3 CLASS 6 SHOWCASE PLATE PLATE
A Class 6 race over the 2200 metres.
Firm Agreement (7) won a Class 1 race at Ipswich over 2180 metres in solid time. He gets in well with the conditions of this race and if he produces an effort like he did last start he will destroy this field – Alysha Collett rides for the Annabel & Rob Archibald team.
The Grafton Cup Prelude was won by Rock The Machine (4). Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) will ride for local trainer Cathy Chapman. He really thrives at this track and distance so you must respect him on his last start win.
A place getter (third) in that race was Brilliant Knight (5) trained by Cassandra Schmidt – Ben Looker riding. He will strip fitter for that effort and will be right in this.
Barazin (2), trained by Kris Lees, has been luckless in his QLD runs – maybe an improved effort here with Aaron Bullock to ride.
Selections:
7 – Firm Agreement
4 – Rock The Machine
2 – Barazin
5 – Brilliant Knight
Rough chances – (3) Claim The Crown
Race 4 CLASS 2 SHOWCASE PLATE
A Class 2 race over the 1100 metres.
Matthew Dunn Racing has a solid team engaged in this race.
I like Alleze (3) who resumes here after a solid recent barrier trial. Andrew Adkins will ride. He won here at this track and distance two starts ago. Looks well placed and should get a nice trail into the race with some genuine speed engaged.
The stable mate is Storm Merchant (1) with Nash Rawiller riding. Won on his home track and then ran at Randwick in a highway on a very heavy track. Failed due to the track and pulled up lame. With a freshen up – and the pattern of his racing – he loves to lead he will be right in this for a long way.
The other Dunn runner is Deep Stealth (8) – Dylan Turner will ride. Has had no luck in recent starts facing three consecutive heavy tracks, but still putting in on every occasion without getting any luck. On top of the ground he could just perform well and a win would not surprise.
Immortal Storm (4) is trained here by Scott Henley. He has had three starts this preparation for two wins. His last start win at Taree over 1000 metres was impressive - back to his home track and with Aaron Bullock to ride he must be considered.
Youwroteuponit (2) is trained by Cassandra Schmidt – Ben Looker to ride. I think it is better over these shorter distances. Has a win two starts ago over 1000 metres for the new stable. Then at 1210 metres last start seemed to struggle – but in saying that he has a massive weight and was on a soft track.
Selections:
3 – Alleze
4 – Immortal Storm
1 – Storm Merchant
2 – Youwroteuponit
Rough chances – (8) Deep Stealth
Race 5 WINNING EDGE PRESENTATIONS CLASS 2 SHOWCAE HANDICAP
First leg of the Quaddie. A Class 2 race over 1600 metres.
Matthew Dunn runner Vixenette (5) is well placed in this grade – Aaron Bullock to ride. She is third up in this preparation and I would suggest you forget her last start effort at Ipswich over 1350 metres where she got too far back on a tight turning track and had no luck whatsoever. Back to a wide-open expansive track here at Grafton over the mile, look for a dramatic improvement in her form.
Jason Darren (6) is trained by John Bannister. Jean Van Overmeire rides. He was solid last start out at Wyong over the mile finishing the race off strongly. There has been a huge amount of money for him since the markets have opened. It may pay to keep this one safe.
The Tamworth flash – Sue Grills is here at Grafton – already posted a winner on day one of the Carnival – still looking for more winners with Ichika (10) with Andrew Adkins riding for her. This mare finished off her race over the mile strongly at her home track at Tamworth last start – she gets her chance here to post a win.
Carnegie Hall (3) is trained by Michael Freedman – Alysha Collett aboard.
Selections:
5 – Vixenette
6 – Jason Darren
10 – Ichika
2 – Dollars
Race 6 TURSA GRAFTON GUINEAS 2026
A race over the 1600 metres. A very even field – solid representation from QLD trainers. The first leg of the Treble.
This is always a great support race to our feature event.
Hillier (1) is trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald. He was pretty good in the Winx Guineas (Group 3) at the Sunshine Coast at his last start. Robbie Dolan will ride. He is at his fifth run in the preparation – gradually stepping up in distance each time. His 84 rating unfortunately gets him a massive weight – but if he brings his best form to the track, he could win this easily.
Rustemo (3) raced in the Winx Guineas as well at his last start and finished third. That was after he won three starts this preparation – winning form is great form! Trained by Kris Lees and Aaron Bullock to ride – he is a formidable chance here – and deserves to be the pre post favourite.
Glastonbury Girl (6) is trained by Matthew Smith and Alysa Collett will ride. She was a solid winner last time out at Kembla Grange over the mile and ran some nice sectional times that really puts her to the forefront in this race. Do not underestimate her. She could cause an upset here.
Selections:
3 – Rustemo
6 – Glastonbury Girl
1 – Hillier
9 – Swag
Race 7 GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB (GDSC) RAMORNIE
The second last race and the feature race of Day 3 of the Carnival.
My Mums Toyboy (16) is trained by Brett Dodson and Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride. He won the John Carlton Cup – the lead up to this feature – carried a mammoth 62 kilograms and ran some solid time. He goes down to the minimum here on 54 kilograms. I think it will give Kyle a chance to post a win where he did a lot of his riding as an apprentice – there is nothing like winning your hometown feature races and especially for your old boss. He has won his past 5 starts – there is one problem barrier 18 – he must jump, clear them and take up the running. There is some speed inside him – I just hope he does not overdo it.
The Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival has been run on wet tracks. The firm Grafton track may be a blessing for some of these runners.
Let me start with Peter Snowden and Fire Star (5). Firstly, you could say that the Snowden formula is due this year – winning in 2020, 2022 and 2024 – can he complete it again in 2026?
Fire Star (5) will be ridden by Andrew Adkins – he won this race for Snowden in 2024 on Ka Bling. He was solid in the WJ Healey (Group 3) – got caught wide – was working home late but seemed to lack any real zest. I note that Snowden has but the blinkers on here – this could be the answer to getting him to fire.
Band Of Brothers (6) is trained by Matthew Dunn – Dylan Turner to ride – they are both looking for their first victory in this big race. He raced in the Glasshouse (Listed) at the Sunshine Coast last time over 1400 metres. He was forced to go forward from a white gate and that probably cost him the race as he peaked late - I really think the 1200 metres is his best zone for races and with this genuine speed in this race he can probably sit him behind them and finish off the race strongly - drawn well in barrier 7.
Listomania (13) is trained by Todd Payne. He carried a mammoth weight when he resumed at Eagle Farm and stormed home to post an impressive victory. After the race they declared that the Ramornie was there target this preparation. He has a solid second up record and will be flashing home late. I see that they have elected to put the visors on for this start and that can only help him in the race. Ben Looker will ride – this race has eluded him all his career – can he finally break the drought in 2026?
I have gone with the Kelly Schweida trained Manolo Bling (9) to be ridden by the newly crowned Group 1 (Stradbroke winning) jockey Taylor Marshall. Let’s hope that these two can get the “BLING” of the Ramornie trophies to take home to Brisbane. She is only a lightly raced mare – ideally placed on the minimum weight here and has drawn well in barrier 9. The speed will go forward, and she should be a few pairs back waiting to strike as the rest of them all peak in the final 100 metres (well let us all hope). Her last start was in the Gai Waterhouse (Listed) at Ipswich – she drew barrier 1, but that was her downfall on that occasion. The tight turning track meant that she got caught on the fence and then turning into the straight had no luck whatsoever with Marshall looking for runs everywhere and then when he finally got the breaks that he needed she stormed home like to finish a gallant second. This wide track will suit her – solid each way odds as well at $17. Marshall has not ridden here since he was an apprentice at Randwick – let’s hope he remembers his way around the track and the fastest way home!
You can make a case for the Tony Gollan trained Pereille (4) and the Michael Freedman trained Givemethebeatboys (3) with their recent QLD form.
Selections:
9 – Manolo Bling
6 – Band Of Brothers
5 – Fire Star
16 – My Mums Toyboy
Rough chances – (13) Listomania & (4) Pereille & (3) Givemethebeatboys
Race 8 BM58 HANDICAP
The last race of this big day of racing. A BM58 race over 1400 metres.
Sponsored by Rabbit Ride Share – these always get a flogging over the Carnival with the revellers who have a bit to drink and then do the right thing and do not drive.
Matthew Dunn and Nash Rawiller combine here with a last start winner Autumn Miss (3). She will go forward from barrier 5 and probably be second in the running throughout the race and should finish off the race strongly after posting a win over this distance at Casino last start.
The likely leader is going to be Vetoed (11) trained by Dennis Dwane with Madeline Owen riding. She loves to lead - however from barrier 16 she'll need to push forward early and take up the running. Her best performances have been on heavy and soft ground so she wouldn't get her favourite ground in this race, but she should still be competitive.
Barcelona Express (4) will be written by Archie McColm - he managed to post a winner here on Sunday. He is trained by David Matts and I think he's recent performances have been stifled by heavy tracks. Look for a big improvement on top of the ground here at a distance that he really thrives at. Another thing in his favour is the 3-kilogram claim for Archie which sees him get in well at the weights.
Sawmill (12) was here last year and ran a good second. He has not raced in 28 weeks – has the blinkers on and may well sprint fresh for trainer Warren Ganderton – Jean Van Overmeire will ride.
I would strongly suggest that you watch the market here – if they back something late – you will need to follow the money!
Selections:
3 – Autumn Miss
4 – Barcelona Express
12 – Sawmill
11 – Vetoed
Rough chances – (10) Critical Time
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Jockey’s Challenge.
I think the result will be an open affair this week between Aaron Bullock, Andrew Adkins and Jean Van Overmeire. I am going for Aaron in a close battle.
Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)
1,2,4,5 / 1,4,11 / 4,7 / 1,3,4 - cost is $72 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)
2,4,5 / 1,4 / 7 / 3,4 - cost is $12 to $1
Quaddie (races 5 to 8)
5,6,10 / 1,3,6 / 5,6,9,16 /3,4,12 - cost is $108 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 5 to 8)
5,6 / 3,6 / 5,6,9 / 3,4 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 6 to 8)
1,3,6 / 5,6,9,16 / 3,4,12 - cost is $36 to $1
BIG 6 (races 3 to 8)
7 / 3,4 / 5,6 / 3,6 / 5,6,9 / 3,4,12 - cost is $72 to $1
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