The Grafton Greyhound Racing Club will host a massive WINTER carnival finals night on Wednesday, July 17.
Here’s our preview of the three big features, including The Hounds tips to claim the riches on offer:
Group 3 Ladbrokes Grafton Cup Final | 450m | $25,000
Field Day (6) has had every one of his six race starts at Grafton and doesn’t the youngster love the place. His 40kg frame benefits from the wide expanses of the circuit and after winning five straight (including his heat below) heading into the final, it seems like only bad luck or something out of the box from one of his opponents can beat him. Inexperience is the only real knock but deserves to be favourite with a race fastest PB of 25.15. Marlee Star (1) should jump well and will likely hold the lead from the perfect Box 1 draw. His best chance of claiming the race is surging to the front and hoping they jam up in behind him as 450m on the Grafton track could have him paddling in the closing stages. Tired late in the heat despite winning in a time of 25.53 but should take improvement from that run. Heidi Mcgraw (4) was a feature final winner here 12 months ago in the big Grafton Maiden and she’s undefeated in three starts at track and trip now. Fastest heat winner in 25.23 and the Box 4 draw isn’t awful considering the dogs to her outside aren’t lightning into stride. The Cudal kennel know how to win a big race in the Northern Rivers. Albert’s Memory (2) has to be the sentimental favourite, racing in honour of the late Daryl Gleeson. He’s a tough customer with oodles of experience over the Grafton 450m (30: 11-9-3) and always runs an honest race. Ran a PB in the heats and that was off a month’s break (following the Chief Havoc Cup final) so he might be in career best form.
She Is Fire (1) has emerged as one of the better young stayers in the state over the last few months and now she’s armed with Box 1 – a trap she’s undefeated in four starts from – she goes on top. The 17-time winner had a hit out over the Grafton 660m back on Thunderbolt night and she was a dominate 7.25 length winner in a time of 38.28 (replay below). Any improvement on that sort of effort would probably be good enough to win the race and Mark Moroney certainly thinks she’s full of quality. Zipping Vanessa (8) hasn’t been her Group 1 winning self so far in 2024 following an interrupted opening to the year. Despite racing in top company, she still has a couple of wins to her name (notably a strong 41.29 effort at Albion Park two back) and has the class to knock over a field like this at her best. 660m is probably a tad short but it’s a tough run at Grafton and without many staying options in Sydney during the WINTER, the Finn kennel have kept her up North to chase this race. Icy Eyes (5) is probably a rung below the top two at their best despite winning 15 of her 29 starts for the Zammit’s. Does have multiple wins over 700 in both Queensland and Victoria so should be hitting the line hard. She’s found the going a little tougher in her last handful of starts after stepping up in grade and being drawn in the middle of the track so keen to see what she can do from the squeeze. Kangaroo Jack (6) brings a picket fence with him to Grafton and hasn’t tasted defeat since May 29. Stepped up to the middle distance with style in a couple of recent efforts at Richmond and then went back to Wenty Park and clocked a handy 29.78 for good measure. Might lead or annoy whichever dog does.
Grafton Greyhound Racing Club Maiden Classic Final | 450m | $20,000
Barefoot Zulu (6) is all the rage and deservedly so after blowing up the clock in the heats. The 25.06 effort (replay below) was less than a length outside the track record and many around Grafton believe it’s only a matter of time before he breaks the 25 second mark in race conditions. Stephen Keep is trying to keep a lid on expectations as he’s still just a baby with two starts to his name and a Box 6 draw in a maiden final isn’t a perfect recipe for success. Would love to see him get clear air though and appears lengths better than these if all things are equal. Nangar Lady (1) has been consistent to start her career with three runs resulting in three second place finishes. A runner-up finish in the Bill & Peg Memorial at Dubbo reads well as that race typically produces decent dogs and she was the subject of decent support in the heats of this series. Had to check off the favourite’s heels last week but was no match for him in the run to the post. Breakout Boy (8) has jumped at $1.45 in both career starts but won’t be anywhere near that in this final with the presence of Barefoot Zulu. Did have a tough run in the heat after jumping from the pink and coursing wide throughout, but also looked very green at stages and can’t make any mistakes if he’s to take this out. Zipping Kristoff (7) was sent out as a warm favourite in the heats and he duly saluted. Was pretty well away and once he worked out how to get underneath the lead runner, he knuckled down to fend off Sweetest Smile to the line. The time of 25.83 will need to be lowered but Jason Magri is always in form and he wouldn’t be travelling North for the scenery.
