Horse racing tips: Grafton, Gosford tips for Thursday July 13

Form analyst Adam Sherry gives his best bets at Grafton and Gosford and runs the rule over the quaddie legs at both meetings on Thursday.

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GRAFTON

BEST BET

Race 8 No.6: LE MELODY

The Cody Morgan-trained mare won well first-up last campaign before going to Listed grade when sixth in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Won a recent trial and can kick-off with another win.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No.3: DEBUSSY

Had a tough run three-wide on the speed before fading behind Mogo Magic at Rosehill last start. Good second when resuming at Port Macquarie before that.

VALUE BET

Race 3 No.5: GRAND HORIZON

Knocking on the door for her first win after placing at her three runs this campaign since joining the Tony Ball stable.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 3, 5, 11, 12

Race 6: 2, 3, 6, 8

Race 7: 2, 3, 7, 8

Race 8: 1, 6, 7

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Aaron Bullock is not only leading the NSW premiership, he is riding at a phenomenal strike rate of 25.6 per cent.

GOSFORD

BEST BET

Race 8 No.3: SOOBOOCO

Broke through for a well-deserved win at Wyong last start after placing at four consecutive second placings. Looks hard to beat again.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No.5: BOSTON ROCKS

Showed he is ready to kick off his latest campaign on a winning note after two impressive trial victories by big margins.

INSIDE MAIL: GRAFTON

RACE 5

Coco Rox raced keenly along the rails and didn’t finish off as expected when ninth first-up at Doomben on June 14. She will take benefit from the run and is a proven second-up performer. Stablemate Snazz ‘N’ Charm worked home well for third behind the well-backed Ancient Girl at Doomben last start. She is knocking on the door with her consistent performances this preparation. Time For Victory was squeezed up between runners approaching the 200m as he was building momentum before finishing a length and a half fourth to Standing Bear at Port Macquarie on June 18. Field Regiment has placed both runs at this track.

Bet: Coco Rox to win

RACE 6

Debussy raced three-wide pressuring the leaders before fading to finish second last behind the unbeaten Mogo Magic in a TAB Highway at Rosehill on July 1. Tracked leader and got an inside run when second to Standing Bear at Port Macquarie the start prior. Drawn to get a similar run here. Baiyka was a handy fourth to Time For Victory at Port Macquarie two starts back before a narrow third to Lambdoma Energy at the same track on April 23. Unbeaten in two starts at this track and distance and is a first-up winner. In A Step was wide throughout when fifth at Tamworth last start. Has performed well here. Small Town is coming off an all-the-way win here on July 2. Wide gate is the query.

Bet: Debussy to win

RACE 7

Zoumon is a dominant favourite and deservedly so. Held on for a narrow win in the McKell Cup at Rosehill before an all-the-way win in the Caloundra Cup on July 1. Drawn perfectly to dictate again and will be hard to run down. Benaud appreciated a huge drop in grade and got a good confidence boost with a six length win at Wyong on July 4. Wide draw will make it tricky but is the main danger. Regal Lion made a sustained run out wide from the 700m to win the Ipswich Cup before a sixth to Zoumon in the Caloundra Cup. Bellaciaociao was held up on the rails and got shuffled back to last on the bend when seventh at Eagle Farm at her Australian debut on June 24. Keep safe.

Bet: Zoumon to win

RACE 8

Omni Man likely goes to Randwick on Saturday instead. Le Melody pushed up to lead and held on for a game win at Muswellbrook in April before stepping up to stakes grade and fishing sixth to Athelric after racing outside the leader in the Ortensia at Scone in May. Won her recent Muswellbrook trial unpressured. Remlaps Gem resumes from a spell off a handy trial second at the Sunshine Coast. Will go well. Standing Bear scored back-to-back wins before a sixth in the Carlton Cup here. Classy Jaybee goes well fresh and won’t be far away.

Bet: Le Melody to win

INSIDE MAIL: GOSFORD

RACE 5

Boston Rocks was specked from $31 into $19 on debut but things didn’t go right when eighth behind Bases Loaded on the Kensington track back in February. Now with Nathan Doyle and has won his two recent trials by over four lengths. Hard to beat if he brings that to the races. Secret Spy placed third at his for two starts at Muswellbrook and Gosford before a fifth here in February and spelling. Led all-the-way for a two length trial win here on June 28. News At Five has come back in good order with two nice trials of late. Whydubaime jumped straight to the front and sped away for a five length trial win here on June 28.

Bet: Boston Rocks to win

RACE 6

Sidenay was held up in the straight and went back to the rails for a narrow gap when third behind Power Of The Brave on the Beaumont track June 19. Was a little keen when held up behind runners until getting clear near 200m when third to C’Mon Mate at Kembla on July 1. Due for a change of luck and a win. Flying Birds was a handy second to Everyone’s A Star at Hawkesbury before racing wide when a length and a half fourth to A Shooting Duck at Muswellbrook last week. Hit Song was caught three-wide without cover when fifth to Mad Deel last start. Drawn to get a better run. A Silvery Warrior is a former Hong Kong galloper first-up from a long spell. Trials have been OK.

Bet: Sidenay each-way

RACE 7

Lovero tracked the leader and didn’t get clear until the 100m when just failing to catch Petulant at Canterbury on June 7. Pocketed again before coming to the outside at the 200m when third to Rebel Dean at Kembla two weeks ago. Ready to win again when luck goes her way. Shezanalister continues to race in fine form. Held up when third to Amnesty here on June 22 then beaten in a tight finish by Orlabent at Wyong 12 days later. Millybella was slow out then charged up three-wide when runner-up to Rebel Dean at Kembla. Drawn gate 1 and must be respected. The Unicorn raced well in her first campaign. Has trialled well for her return.

Bet: Lovero to win

RACE 8

Soobooco placed runner-up in four of his first five starts before breaking through with a smart win when resuming at Wyong last week. Drawn ideally and can go back-to-back. Roussillon won over this trip at his second start at Warwick Farm. Just behind placegetters in three runs last time in. Nice second in his Canterbury trial. Oceans One is coming off a good win at Scone and drawn nicely. The Great Houdini is resuming for new trainer Greg McFarlane. Include in multiples.