2014 Grafton Cup: Previews and tips

The Grafton Cup (2350m, listed race) is the highlight of the Clarence River Jockey Club’s July winter carnival.

This year’s edition looks set to be a cracking race, and with the scratching of last year’s winner Mr O’Ceirin, Tegan Harrison might just be in the box seat to claim her hometown cup.

Harrison, who finishes her apprenticeship this month, would love nothing more than to top it off with a win aboard Brave Ali.

It’s close to four years since Harrison gave up nursing studies to pursue a career on the track, moving from Grafton to Brisbane to pursue her dream of becoming a top jockey.

Her ride in today’s cup, Brave Ali, is one of the favourites of the race and is my top pick. Brave Ali is absolutely flying this preparation, taking out the Ipswich Cup (2150m) with a good run on the pace.

On the Caloundra Cup, Mr O’Ceirin took Brave Ali up at the front of the field, Brave Ali fought off most challenges, but was swamped late by Brayroan in the last 100m, finishing second (two and a quarter lengths). Expect Harrison to take him to the front of the field again.

The main challengers in the race will come from Queenstown, Hoylonny, Secessio and Travolta.

Queenstown ran third (0.9 lengths) to Tromso first-up off a 23-week spell in an Open (1400m) race, before finishing 2.6 lengths behind Kingdoms in the listed Centenary Mile (1600m).

The step up in distance third up will be good for her. She had some good form in the spring, running third (2.4 lengths) to Sertorius in the WFA Zipping Classic (2400m).

Hoylonny ran second on his third run back from a spell to Secessio in the Winter Listed Cup (2400m). It was a solid run, with Hoylonny taking the lead mid-race before being picked up right on the line. She’s got a good barrier draw and is right at home in this class.

Secessio bounced back from a poor run at Randwick on a heavy track to beat Hoylonny right on the line in Winter Cup last start. He could probably be forgiven for his run at Randwick, however he comes up two kilograms on his last start, so I’d be thinking a place chance at best.

Travolta comes into the race second-up off a 12-week spell. His first-up run was seventh (5.2 lengths) behind Kingdoms in the Listed Centenary Mile (1600m). He has won the ATC Cup off a similar preparation, and could run a bold race at good odds.

Outside of these five, the Gerald Ryan-trained Pretty Pins has been almost there, but not quite, finishing fourth in Floria’s record-breaking Brisbane Cup, before coming home nicely along the fence to finish third (1.2 lengths) to The Inventor in the Group 3 Tatts Cup (2200m). Pretty Pins is travelling alright but needed to be running better to have a chance.

Garud is an interesting runner, he started the favourite in the Ipswich Cup (2150m) before running a disappointing fifth (1.5 lengths) behind Brave Ali. From a wide gate in his next start he dropped to virtually the back of the field and ran on late without threatening in the Group 3 Tatts Cup (2200m). I’m going to pass.

The rest of the field faces a tough ask and I can’t see them getting close. I’m going Brave Ali on top from Hoylonny, Queenstown and Travolta

Tips
1. Brave Ali
2. Hoylonny
3. Queenstown
4. Travolta