Grafton Cup 2020 betting strategy, free tips & form

Thursday’s Grafton program is headlined by the Listed Grafton Cup to be run over 2350m. Sixties Groove and Frankely Awesome top the market after doing the quinella in the McKell Cup at Rosehill a fortnight ago. The bolter, Winkler, will look to lead ahead of Chris Waller’s Satono Rasen and Queensland stayer La Pulga. Frankely Awesome will be back towards the end from the outside alley.

Free racing tips for 2020 Grafton Cup

Frankely Awesome was very impressive in her return to the winner’s circle last start in the Listed McKell Cup, and we expect her to go on with it against similar opposition. She hadn’t won for a long time, but the way she loomed into it, pulled away and then eased down on the line looked as if she has got it all together now. The concern, however, is where she gets to in the run and the fact she meets Sixties Groove 1kg worse off from their last encounter. From the carpark gate, Jason Collett is likely to settle towards the back, bide his time and produce the Frankel mare down the middle of the track. She does her best racing on a rain-affected surface and can make it two on the bounce here.

Sixties Groove is the clear danger and returned with a great second behind Frankely Awesome two weeks ago. The rising eight-year-old looks to be screaming out for 2400m now fourth up into his campaign, as he was a Group 2 Brisbane Cup winner at this distance this time last year. He should land in front of Frankely Awesome from barrier 12, settling slightly worse than midfield. Last start he worked home very strongly, taking ground off the winner late, and this time he meets Frankely Awesome 1kg better at the weights. If the speed is on, he could be too good for them.

An interesting runner that might be worth a small each-way bet is Nemingah. The Nom Du Jeu gelding was an eight-start maiden going into a race at the Sunshine Coast on May 1 and has since won a further two times, including the Grafton Cup Prelude last time out at BM80 grade. The four-year-old looks a genuine staying type on the up and is clearly well regarded by trainer Edward O’Rourke, who sent him around in a Listed event at just his 13th start against some quality opponents. Barrier six will suit, so Rachel King should find a good spot midfield and finish strongly late into the money. Country cups can often throw a surprise winner, and Nemingah profiles to be that type of horse. The $21 is worth a shout.

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