Grafton racing preview & quaddie tips | Monday, March 27
| What | South Grafton Cup Day 2022 |
| Where | Grafton Racecourse – 284 Powell St, Grafton NSW 2460 |
| When | Monday, March 27, 2023 |
| First Race | 1:40pm AEST |
Racing heads to the Northern Rivers region of NSW to start the week as Grafton plays host to a seven-race program. The rail is out 4.5m between the 800m-winning post, while the remainder of the rail is out +3m. We’re likely to be racing on a downgrading soft track for the meeting and conditions are bound to play a large part in results. The first race is set to get underway at 1:40pm AEDT.
Best Bet at Grafton – I Am The Empire
I Am The Empire looks the progressive type in the second race on the program and we’re keen to be with him as the best bet on Monday afternoon. This Annabel Neasham-trained four-year-old has a good record in this company that reads nine starts for two wins and five more minor placings. His latest effort behind Auspicious Cloud at Kembla Grange rates well stepping back to BM66 company and wasn’t disgraced going down by 4-lengths. 2230m looks ideal for this son of Camelot as he may have peaked on his previous effort as well. From barrier one, look for Brodie Loy to stalk the leaders throughout before peeling off the inside to score.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#3 I Am The Empire (1)
4yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Brodie Loy (60kg)
Next Best at Grafton – The Orphan
We love the price on offer for The Orphan in the second leg of the quaddie and looks a cracking each-way bet. He’s first-up after a 127-day spell and despite going out on a poor run, we think he’s set to return in terrific order. His barrier trial at Port Macquarie on March 17 caught the eye when travelling three-wide throughout the 1000m jump out and still went to the line under a stranglehold by jockey Ben Looker. A little bit of rain around and a soft track will do this Belardo gelding a world of good to boot. He’s over the odds to us and if he can get a forward position from barrier three, he can be very competitive in what is admittedly a tricky first-up assignment.
Next Best
Race 5 – 
#3 The Orphan (3)
4yo Gelding | T: Paul Shailer | J: Ben Looker (58kg)
Best Value at Grafton – Lucky Banner
Another galloper at each-way odds comes in the finale at Grafton as Lucky Banner represents great value to end the card. It’s race where the favourite is $6+ so it’s not a bad race to find some outsiders. Lucky Banner is a mare that returned stylishly on March 2 at Coffs Harbour, when flying down the outside to find second behind Mr Tabasco. She was only beaten a length and now takes a step back to BM58 grade, seemingly looking her best chance to snag a win this preparation. She’s drawn awkwardly but will be getting back regardless in this big field and we think Jodi Worley will be storming over the top late to be right in the finish.
Best Value
Race 7 – 
#2 Lucky Banner (10)
5yo Mare | T: Peter J Clark | J: Jodi Worley (61.5kg)
Monday quaddie tips for Grafton
Grafton quadrella selections
Monday, March 27, 2023
- 1-2-3-4
- 2-3
- 3-7-11
- 2-3-10-11
Investment: $96 for 100%