Grafton races: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Sunday

Sir Havachat still doesn’t know what he’s doing but the progressive country galloper is finding a way to win.

The Shane Everson-trained colt has saluted in two of his first three starts already and heads to Grafton on Sunday chasing a winning hat-trick.

Sir Havachat broke his maiden with a commanding win at Casino last August before adding a second to the tally first up with frontrunning triumph over 1000m at Ballina.

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He can add another picket to the fence over another 1000m scamper when he tackles Book Tickets @ Graftontickets.com.au Class 2 Handicap second-up.

“He looks like a nice progressive horse,” Everson said.

“He has a laid-back nature. He has not idea still what he is doing and he seems to do things pretty easy.

“You watch him in trackwork, he will look like he is doing half pace but will usually run in pretty good time.

“It feels like he is one of those horses that when you ride him, it doesn't feel like you are going as fast as you actually are.”

With just three starts to his name, Sir Havachat still has plenty to learn.

The son of Snitzel raced greenly in his latest success at Ballina and is yet to harness his full potential.

“He has a lot of gears there and doesn't know how to use them yet,” Everson said.

“It all points good to a nice future, hopefully he figures it out but he is heading the right way.”

Sir Havachat is a $5 chance with TAB to continue his winning run, with Matthew McGuren continuing his association with the youngster.

Everson concedes it will be his three-year-old’s toughest test to date but believes Sir Havachat is ready to produce another strong showing.

“I would expect him to run a nice race again,” Everson said.

“It's always harder each time you are stepping up in grade.

“He goes up a bit more in weight and meets a nice bunch of horses but if he keeps going the right way, I am pretty happy with him heading into Sunday.”

Everson also has Set To Spin chasing a maiden victory in the Yamba Golf & Country Club Yamba Cup Benchmark 58 Handicap (2200m).

The son of Reset has only placed twice in 18 starts but can improve up in trip.

“He will win a race,” Everson said.

“This is probably more a stepping stone race for him, for a maiden Class 1 over 2200m at Grafton.

“He is the type of that once he gets up over more ground, he runs some all right races.”

Jeff Kehoe pilots Set To Spin, a $51 outsider with the bookies.

MITCH COHEN’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 6 No.5: AQUARIUS

Talented mare dropping in grade. Drawn perfectly in a very winnable race.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No.4: BERKINSON

Lightly-raced five-year-old that continues to race consistently. Ready to peak third up from a break.

VALUE BET

Race 2 No.6: A NOTION

Promising first starter that finds a maiden without a lot of depth.

QUADDIE

Race 4 – 3, 4, 11

Race 5 – 1, 2

Race 6 – 5, 7, 11

Race 7 – 1, 5

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Bull rider-turned-apprentice Braith Nock has seven wins from his first 33 rides and can add to that tally on Sunday.

INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1

Sir Havachat is a promising country sprinter out of super sire Snitzel. The Shane Everson-trained sprinter has the ability to make it a hat-trick of wins from just his fourth start over the 1000m scamper. He will go to the front and take some running down again as he has been at his past two. My One drops back from a Country Championships qualifier at Tuncurry last time. Both her wins have come at this trip so you‘d expect her to find this more to her liking. Think you’ll see sharp improvement from Benetti. She’s been scratched from a later race to target a more suitable trip at a track she’s won at twice before.

Bet: Sir Havachat to win.

RACE 2

A Notion finds a very winnable maiden on debut. A daughter of So You Think, the 1100m looks an appropriate starting point for her career. She showed enough in her most recent trial to suggest she can notch up her first win quickly, particularly against some rivals that have had plenty of chances. Smile Upon A Star SP’d as favourite when fifth on debut at the Sunshine Coast. Her best work was late in that assignment so the extra 100m should be ideal. Marlou Millie may only have three placings from 11 goes but was just over a length off the winner at Murwillumbah before going for a break. If she can replicate that first up, she should be around the money.

Bet: A Notion to win. Quinella 6,8

RACE 3

Berkinson is only lightly raced for a five-year-old but has built a competitive enough CV. The John Sprague-trained gelding has a win and two placings from five starts to his name and can add to that here. Third-up now, he should be rock hard fit and ready to roll. Bellzen boasts a similar record to the favourite but is only three. As he has from previous bad draws, expect him to go back and flash home late. Sea Of Qi drops back to the bush after finding life too tough in town last start. This is more suitable grade for him and he must be included in all wide multiples.

Bet: Berkinson to win.

RACE 4

If Systemic had drawn a gate, he would be one of the better bets on the program. Barrier 19 has tempered those expectations but the Stephen Lee-trained galloper can still win. The Capitalist gelding finished within a length of the winner last start at Lismore and should enjoy a slight step up in trip here. Oojah Capow can certainly run a big race. The Aiden St Vincent-trained gelding came from a mile back to finish among the placings last time and can settle a bit closer here. Monazel didn‘t run up to market expectation as the $2.20 favourite on debut. A form turnaround shouldn’t surprise if it occurs.

Bet: Systemic to win.

RACE 5

Byakko is one of the rare US-bred gallopers racing on the NSW North Coast. If you put a line through his uncharacteristically poor run in Highway grade last time, he‘s right in this. Trusting the Donna Grisedale-trained stayer to get back from the wide draw and power home late. Echoes Of My Mind racing pattern can help him overcome the wide gate but the 61.5kg makes life tough with no apprentice claim this time. Nature Boy looks your likely leader as he did when winning last time at Armidale. He will give them something to catch but will be running on empty late.

Bet: Byakko each way.

RACE 6

Aquarius can finally add a second win to her name here. The Matthew Dunn-trained mare has been racing well enough since snaring her maiden first-up this preparation with Two Mile runs under her belt now, she should be battle hardened for the 1700m test. She is drawn to be ridden with cover and be there when it matters. Woburn Alley had terrible last time and could have been fighting out the finish if she got clear air. Provided she gets it this time, she will finish in the money. Lightly-raced type Dark Prophecy certainly looks like a filly that will appreciate stepping out over a decent journey third up from a break. Include her.

Bet: Aquarius to win. Quinella 5, 7, 11.

RACE 7

If Franklin Corners can pick up where he left off last preparation, he is right in this. He returns from a 13-week break after last finishing a narrow second when leading the field up at Grafton over 1400m. He gets a gun draw in barrier three where 2kg claim of Zac Wadick should prove dynamite. Dry conditions hold the key to The Sherpa. If it stays in the good range, he will prove one of the hardest to beat. Volfoni is a consistent type with four wins and 15 placings from 34 starts. Obviously a gelding that must go in wider multiples.

Bet: Franklin Corners each way.