WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON JULY 16, 2026

By Darren Winningham | Wednesday, July 15, 2026

WINNO is at GRAFTON for the fourth day of the 2026 GRAFTON CARNIVAL.

It is the traditional GRAFTON CUP 2025 this year sponsored by long term club sponsors WESTLAWN. A competitive field has been assembled.

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 SKY RACING MOTHER’S GIFT

This is a race over 1400 metres – for the fillies and mares. There is some serious speed in the race.

Lady Lucifer (2) is trained by the astute David Vandyke who won the Rockhampton Cup last Saturday with Keitel. His stable is firing at the present. This mare won last start at Doomben over 1350 metres when she was second up. It was an impressive win despite being a midweek race - I think that win keeps in contention to score again in this race - Ashley Butler will ride her.

Just in time is trained by Jason Deamer and will be ridden by Nash Rawiller. She was first up at Rosehill last start over 1300 metres on a heavy track and she ran a hopeless last. The track did not suit her. She is second up here on a firm track which will be much more to her liking. They opened her at $8 in the early markets and she has been absolutely smashed now around the $3.90 mark. I assume they're putting faith in her previous form on firm tracks. I can find other excuses not to back her – I think she will have a tough time here.

Savvyrocker (9) will be ridden by Robbie Dolan for Neil Godbolt. She Last raced in the John Carlton Cup where she finished the race off strongly after being hopelessly at the tail of the field. I really think the way she finished off that race and with the smaller field here that if she can jump on terms with them, she can probably get the job done and win this feature race at ridiculous odds of around $31.

Hulu (3) Will be ridden by Aaron Bullock for trainer Cameron Crockett. She is always shown good form at 1400 metres and they stepped out to 1500 metres last time and she just didn't seem to fire. This start looked for a bold effort.

Danny Peisley will ride Ocean Alps (5) for Paul Shailer - keep this runner safe as if she puts in her best effort, she can run a bold race.

Selections:

2 – Lady Luficer
4 – Just In Time
9 – Savvyrocker
3 – Hulu
Rough chance – (5) Ocean Alps

Race 2

Class 1 over 1400 metres. Big field here – many form lines to consider as well.

Satin And Cash (7) is trained locally by Samantha McGuren – she is having a great Carnival – Jake Bayliss will ride. She won her Maiden at Inverell over 1400 metres two starts ago and then ran in the Grafton Guinea's Prelude and got back too far in the running on the day where leaders seem to have a distinct advantage. She then flashed home late suggesting that she will be right in this race.

Herald Angel (4) is trained by Matthew Dunn – Aaron Bullock is in the saddle. Is third up here this start and appears to be looking for 1400 metres. Barrier 17 is no help for this runner however she should race midfield and be able to finish the race off strongly.

Comic Culture (2) is trained by Rob Potter and Alysha Collett to ride. Has been doing all his racing around the Canberra circuit on a synthetic track. Resumes here and is first up, ideally drawn in barrier 1, and look for him to take up a forward position in the running and be hard to hold out.

Uno Fred (9) will be ridden by Archie McColm and is trained by Kevin Dixon. He is second up here for this preparation after resuming at Tamworth over 1200 metres. His previous best efforts have been over longer distances. I think with the speed on in this race he may get a nice trail into the race and McComb’s 3-kilogram claim may prove beneficial late.

Selections:

7 – Satin and Cash
4 – Herald Angel
9 – Uno Fred
2 – Comic Culture
Rough chance – (15) The Big Ticket

Race 3 BM66 SHOWCASE HANDICAP

A 1000 metre race at the BM66 grade.

Dance Gavin Dance (5) is a last start winner over this distance at Casino. On that occasion he settled midfield and stormed home late to get the job done easily. Nash Rawiller will ride for trainer Owen Glue.

Hey Daisy (8) is trained by Paul Shailer with Danny Peisley in the saddle. She always races handily in her races and scored a win at this distance on her home track on the Gold Coast two starts ago. Stepped up to midweek grade at Doomben last start and was not disgraced over 1110 metres – running a great second. Back in distance – I think she will thrive.

Manpower (15) is an Adam Campton runner with Karl Zechner to ride. He resumed at Toowoomba and was sent out a very short favourite and was disappointing. He seemed to over race on that occasion – maybe forgive that effort – he has won second up previously.

Cool Fizz (2) is trained by Brett Dodson – apprentice Grady Spokes will ride. He is first up here – a solid recent barrier trial suggests that he is ready to fire first up.

Selections:

5 – Dance Gavin Dance
8 – Hey Daisy
15 – Manpower
2 – Cool Fizz
Rough chance – (7) Soobooco

Race 4 NBN NEWS SPRINGBOARD TO FAME 2YO SHOWCASE PLATE

A 1175 metre race for the babies.

I like Airborne Affair (2) who smashed them on debut at Rockhampton. – was then spelled. Amazing recent barrier trial where he was dominant – trained by Ben Hull who seems to get a winner most years here – Ash Butler will ride.

Jenny Graham trains Royal Exile (8) with Aaron Bullock aboard. Looks like one with some serious ability – a solid recent barrier trial at Taree where Bullock was aboard, he looks primed and set for this race – currently the $2 favourite as well.

Fearless Win (3) is trained by Alan Chau on the Gold Coast. Very consistent and deserves a change of luck.

Slippin Away (9) is trained by Adam Campton – Karl Zechner to ride. He won the lead up race for this a few weeks ago. He is owned by the Wilrace team and Darren Wilson – he would like to see $19 on offer like last time here and post a win!

Selections:

2 – Airborne Affair
8 – Royal Exile
3 – Fearless Win
9 – Slippin Away
Rough chance – (13) Zee Fire

Race 5 BIG SUPER MAIDEN SHOWCASE PLATE

A maiden race – with a massive purse of $22,000 for the winner – the race is over 1175 metres. First leg of the Quaddie.

Zalique (16) is the way I have gone here. Trained by Matthew Dunn with Nash Rawiller to ride. Is resuming here, drawn nicely and has been super impressive in two recent trials. From barrier 8 should be prominent in the running and hard to hold out.

Stakeholder (4) is trained by Tracey Bartley with Aaron Bullock to ride. He is a Capatalist gelding who has had the benefit of two recent trials. They have jumped out of the trees to back his one. He is the $2.50 favourite for the race.

Mongolian Spring is another Campton Racing runner – Nick Heywood will ride. A new runner to the stable – had trialled well prior to his run at the Gold Coast over 1015 metres. I think he will strip fitter for the hit out and may have the wood on these other runners who are first up.

Desert Angle (6) resumes after a very long spell - 64 weeks in fact - for Paul Shailer. Blinkers off – several trials under her belt – she may pop up here at odds. Danny Peisley will ride.

By The Way (5) is trained by Stirling Osland – Ben Looker aboard – not out of it either – keep safe.

Selections:

16 – Zalique
4 – Stakeholder
2 – Mongolian Spring
6 – Desert Angle=
Rough chance – (5) By The Way

Race 6 BELFLYER CLASS 6 SHOWCASE PLATE

First leg of the Treble. Class 6 Plate over 1175 metres.

Robert Agnew trains Pony Soprano (9) and Show Em Howl (10). They both have had a solid barrier trial and look set to go well first up. I like Pony Soprano (9) with Danny Peisley riding. I see his father Darren has a share in it – he had better get it home or face the ire of dad – let alone mum Ellen – she throws a solid right with her handbag attached!

In all seriousness – this horse has always shown ability. Just runs into trouble on occasions. He has the almost perfect first up record – 4 starts – 3 wins. Loves this distance – drawn well and can bounce forward and take a sit in behind the leaders.

House Of Cards (8) is trained by Brett Dodson – Ben Looker aboard. A nine week freshen up after winning at his home track at Coffs Harbour – sprints well fresh.

Tough Guy (11) trained by Melissa Dennett. Was a beaten favourite last time out at his home track at Tamworth. The winkers go on here and apprentice Izzy Neale will ride.

Tartaglia (16) is a last start winner at Gosford over 1100 metres for trainer Paul Snowden. The South Grafton Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy will ride this runner again after winning on him at Gosford.

Night Fighter (4) trained by Sue Grills will be ridden by Aaron Bullock. Although resuming here – can run well fresh – I hope her son Andrew Grills will fit into the strapper’s bib so he can lead him around in the parade ring. My spies tell be he was smashing a big feed of tucker at the Village Green Hotel on Monday evening. I hope he paid for his fiancés meal as well.
Selections:

9 – Pony Soprano
11 – Tough Guy
8 – House Of Cards
16 – Tartaglia
Rough chances – (4) Night Fighter & (10) Show Em Howl

Race 7 2025 WESTLAWN GRAFTON CUP

The second last race and the feature race of Day 4 – the time-honoured Grafton Cup raced over 2350 metres.

Tom Charlton and Kerrin McEvoy have already claimed a feature race here last Sunday winning the Toyota South Grafton Cup – they pair up here with King Pedro (11) who looks a progressive enough type to win the feature race of the Carnival. King Pedro won the Ranvet Stayers Cup over 2400 metres last time out in a dominant fashion – some good sectionals and winning time as well. He looks like the one to beat on paper. McEvoy and Charlton will be looking for their first Grafton Cup winner!

So You Are (5) is trained by Stirling Osland with Ben Looker riding. Looker won his hometown Cup in 2019 riding the Tony Pike trained Sacred Day to victory. This runner was last seen in the Caloundra Cup two weeks ago when he was a gallant second to Thebudgiesmugler. He was eating into the margin late – I think that he has a definite chance here. His past two efforts at 2400 have been exceptional – he gets into the race well.

Pounding (2) would have to be the unluckiest horse to contest the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. Trained by Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman – he has been plagued by wet tracks in QLD over the Carnival. Despite that he has ran second in two races at Group 2 and Group 3 status. Luke Nolen makes the trek to Grafton to hopefully win his first Grafton Cup.

Black Run (7) is trained by Annabel & Rob Archibald – Andrew Farragher will ride. He probably will race second behind the likely leader Kalouakoi (4), trained by Chris & Corey Munce who won the Ipswich Cup with this runner.

Black Run (7) is just dour – when they get into the straight, if he can get away from them he may just run them all into the ground late.

Selections:

11 – King Pedro
5 – So You Are
2 – Pounding
7 – Black Run
Rough chance – (6) Caboche

Race 8 THE SIR JAMES KIRBY QUALITY

The last race of the day - the traditional Kirby sprint held on Cup Day. As normal they will go fast early – can the leaders hold on late!

This is a very open race – I think you will want to be in front before having a bet here!

Zoutastic (10) is trained by Terry Croft and Jean Van Overmeire will ride. He normally has a fair bit of zest from the barriers and likes to lead or race handily, however when he resumed at Randwick over 1000 metres, he seemed to miss the start and then settle and then worked home nicely late to run eighth, beaten around 3 lengths. Going back 12 months to the day he won a Class 2 race here will Mollie Fitzgerald aboard – I just think he is a solid each way chance at $11.

Tectonic Plate is trained by Daniel Bowen – Kirk Matheson will ride. She was second in the John Carlton Cup recently. Bowen won this race in 2025 with At Witz End – can he win it again?

Mollie Fitzgerald will ride Chandon Star (12) for trainer Jane Clement. This gelding flies the gates and just runs! He loves this distance and can run some decent times and sectionals. He is down in the weights – he could cause a massive upset at $41 – sending the bookies home cheering!

Krakarib (8) resumes here for Campton Racing – Karl Zechner will ride. Two solid barrier trials for the lead up to this race. Drawn barrier 2 – he will be able to jump and take a sit with some speed to surge past him early. He may be the one strong on the line – serious odds as well at $21.

Emperor (3) trained by Matthew Dunn will be ridden by Jake Bayliss. Has been racing in superior grades in QLD recently in Listed grades. He won at this track 12 months ago as well in a Class 6 event over 1175 metres – Blake Shinn rode him on that occasion.

Stoltz (1) is an ex-Hong Kong horse now with the Stephen & Jordan Lee stable. He has been trialling well after not racing for two years – if he takes his place in this field – he looks very hard to beat on his old Hong Kong form.

Selections:

10 – Zoutastic
9 – Tectonic Plate
12 – Chandon Star
8 – Krakarib
Rough chance – (3) Emperor & (1) Stoltz
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Jockey’s Challenge

Nash Rawiller, Aaron Bullock, Ash Butler and Danny Peisley all have chances. I will stick with Nash to just beat Aaron.

Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

2,4,7 / 2,4,7,9 / 2,5,8,15 / 2,3,8 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

2,4 / 4,7 / 5,8,15 / 2,8 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

2,4,16 / 8,9,11 / 2,5,11 / 8,9,10,12 - cost is $108 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

4,16 / 9,11 / 5,11 / 9,10,12 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

8,9,11 / 2,5,11 / 8,9,10,12 - cost is $36 to $1

BIG 6 (races 3 to 8)

5,8,15 / 2,8 / 4,16 / 9,11 / 5,11 / 9,10,12 - cost is $144 to $1

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