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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

6. Diamondsaremio showed speed at Taree to lead when last produced and battled on well to finish fourth when beaten less than a length. She’s talented on her day and is set to get back into winning form here. 2. Amaya’s Secret ran well when a last start second at this track and she only needs to run up to that effort in order to figure prominently again. 3. Sir Havachat is resuming from a lengthy spell and has had two barrier trials to prepare. A bold fresh showing is on the cards. 4. Superstitious resumed from a spell with a fourth at Lismore and should have derived benefit from that hitout.

How to play it: Diamondsaremio EACH WAY.

6. Bassett’s Choice had her chance when a last start fourth at Eagle Farm but will find this a shade easier. She gets another opportunity to break through in this. 2. Coastal Cowboy resumes here after a trial and can show up without surprising. 10. Savanna Golden Boy ran well enough ant Wyong last time out to be considered a chance here. 4. Easy Trapezee looks the best of the rest after a last start fourth.

How to play it: Bassett’s Choice WIN.

9. Always A Rainbow has had two starts and has finished third in each of them at Tamworth. She steps up in distance for this and that looks like it will suit. 10. Elegant Force ran well enough when a last start fourth at Port Macquarie and can get into the placings against these. 7. Shark Park is having her first start in this region for a new stable and is capable of showing up on what she’s shown. 3. Turpin’s Torment had a couple of placings before failing here last time out but can improve.

How to play it: Always A Rainbow WIN.

2. Mr Plume was placed at this track before finishing strongly to score at Taree when last produced. He’s racing well enough to give this a shake. 3. Vermeer hasn’t been too far away in recent starts and can get into the finish here without surprising. 4. Hurricane Rosie has had two starts back from a spell and is ready to improve third-up in this. 5. Champagne Rouge wasn’t too far away at the Gold Coast last time out and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

How to play it: Mr Plume EACH WAY.

7. Jennibelle debuted with a third at this track behind Rich Star and that was on the back of two trials. She should be better for the experience, and another forward showing is on the cards against this opposition. 11. Joanjett has finished second in three of her five starts and led them up when run down at Lismore last time out. She is becoming costly to punters but is worth another chance here. 8. Sol Filia hasn’t been beaten too far in two runs back from a spell at this track, while 1. Hezanuff ran sixth here behind Referees last time out and has place claims.

How to play it: Jennibelle WIN.

9. Count Nicholas comes into this on the back of a last start win at the Gold Coast on the synthetic track. He has a good overall record and looks one of the leading contenders here. 8. Immortality was a winner at Ballina before a last start second at Murwillumbah and should be thereabouts. 7. Eagle Hawk Star has had two runs back from a spell and can make an impact, while 5. Poseidon’s Son has won two in a row and shouldn’t be underestimated.

How to play it: Count Nicholas EACH WAY.

1. Jade Trees is a former Hawkes trained galloper that has had two starts since joining the new stable for a second at Taree and a dominant Coffs Harbour win in a small field. He’s drawn to advantage in the inside gate here. 2. Referees enjoyed the run of the race when winning here at his second start. He needs luck from an awkward alley this time. 7. Glam is resuming from a spell for a leading stable and looks set to sprint well fresh. 9. The Rookie has been racing well this campaign and should be thereabouts again.

How to play it: Jade Trees WIN.

2. Spills scored an upset win at big odds at Coffs Harbour three starts ago and was then down the track here before bouncing back to score again at this track last time out when leading throughout. He’s racing well enough to take plenty of running down again. 10. Headstrong has been midfield in three starts in Queensland since resuming and looks set to peak fourth-up into this. 7. Lady Alabama was a winner at this track in November and has been midfield in two runs since then. She is not out of this. 4. Autumn Miss failed to beat a runner home at Eagle Farm when resuming but can improve in this event.

How to play it: Spills EACH WAY.

Best Bets:
Race 5 (7) Jennibelle.
Race 7 (1) Jade Trees.

Best Value:
Race 6 (9) Count Nicholas.

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Grafton meeting