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By Tony Megahey

Journeyman Grant Buckley was upbeat about a near full book of lower tiered gallopers at Friday’s Tuncurry-Forster TAB meeting while preparing for just three mounts at his home base Hawkesbury TAB meet on Thursday.

While Grant hadn’t been through the northern rivers form thoroughly just yet, rest assured his wife Chantelle, the Sky Racing presenter and analyst will have assessed all his rides.

Grant Buckley - much in demand at Friday's Tuncurry races. Image by Bradley Photographers

“Early look, yep some nice rides, we’ll go through the form in more detail tonight after Hawkesbury but she does an amazing job.

"Chantelle doesn’t like tipping favourites, but I doubt I’m on any,” offered 'Bucko' who averages 120,000km a season in travelling.

Of eight rides in the nine TAB races, Ranhita ($7.50 on TAB) and Mellencamp ($5.50) are most prominent in betting.

Ranhita trained by Louise Munce at Wyong contests the Sportie’s Tuncurry Mdn (1200m).

“Probably my best, I rode that mare at Wyong she closed nicely for third, out a bit in distance and back in grade to country level.

“Two Wyong placings sets up ideally here and drawn in, yep hoof on the till her.”

However, an alert in a moderate race is the presence of debut runners from the high-profile Lees and Neasham stables in Chilli Filly ($2.30 favourite) and Superzoom ($21) who have both trialled extensively.

Mellencamp contests the Choices Forster Flooring Class 1, 1400m.

“While this gelding is drawn out, he’s led in all his recent starts so obviously has the gate speed to offset the draw.

"And those placings as favourite at Tamworth and Gunnedah sets up nicely for this grade.”

Grant confronts a near nine-hour return trip from Hawkesbury to the popular northern circuit which is a Good 4 in fine weather.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Tuncurry here