I doubt Grafton based trainers have ever had a tougher time in preparing horses to race.
The continuing rain with the added problem of no pro ride for training purposes due to the training track upgrade has made things increasingly difficult.
Nevertheless, Grafton based trainers have continued to find winners despite these difficulties at their home meetings.
At the Bands Brews and BBQS meeting Fleur Blanch started the meeting in fine style when Fiction Society ridden by Matthew McGuren recorded a last to first victory in the Maiden 1100m. To add to the strength of the victory Fiction Society was having its first race start in over 12 months.
Grafton’s next winner for the day was courtesy of the Shane Everson yard when Sun Topaze got up in the final stride in the Class 1 1700m to record his second win this preparation. Ridden by Dan Peisley Sun Topaze settled well back in the field and was not having much luck being caught three deep for most of the event but kept coming all the way to the line to reach the lead in the shadows of the post and score a narrow victory.
Grafton’s final winner of Bands day was the Andy Parramore trained Next Pay Run in the Bm 58 1400m when the promising filly made it two on the bounce. Ridden by regular rider Ben Looker Next Pay Run showed she is starting to understand the racing caper better when she settled reasonably in the run before Looker worked into the clear on the point of the home turn with Next Pay Run sprinting quickly below the 200m to establish what turned out to be a winning break.
