Australian Racing: Model looks good at Grafton

There are just two meetings for punters to enjoy on Monday, with Bairnsdale and Grafton the venues for racing action.

Race 7 Grafton

Leica Model @ 4.80

Race 6 Bairnsdale

Torlaah @ 5.00

Race 9 Bairnsdale

Rockcliff @ 5.50

Grafton glory awaits Model

Eight races are scheduled for Grafton, with the penultimate contest a 1420m Benchmark 66 handicap.

A soft 5 surface is expected, with Nickelback expected to start as favourite, having recorded his third career win when saluting at Casino last time.

The six-year-old overcame being hampered to salute by two lengths when contesting a 1400m Class 3 handicap on that occasion.

The gelding raced on a good 4 track that day, however the slightly softer conditions forecast here are no issue having placed over 1410m on a soft 5 track here first up this prep.

However, he meets an in-form mare in LEICA MODEL and she is the pick to register her third consecutive victory.

The daughter of Darci Brahma is a proven wet track performer, having recorded a half-length victory when taking out a 1400m Benchmark 78 handicap on a soft 7 surface at Moree last month.

The 4.80 five-year-old duly followed up dropped to 1300m for a Benchmark 58 handicap held on a good 4 surface at the same venue at the start of this month.

Stirling Osland’s mare is a versatile type with regard to tactics and, having finished strongly from off the pace last time out, barrier 12 shouldn’t pose too many issues.

Mikayla Weir, on board last time out, is again set to ride here, with her mount looking capable of completing a hat-trick.

Torlaah to return to turf with a win

A good track is expected at Bairnsdale, with the sixth race of the day a 1000m Benchmark 58 handicap.

Pia Mia is expected to have her supporters for the Ciaron Maher team, with the filly having had just one start this prep.

That start saw her beaten just under three-and-a-half-lengths in an 1100m Benchmark 64 handicap at Bendigo last month.

The four-year-old was making her first start since February on that occasion and it’s of note that her best form last prep came on wet tracks, including when third at Sandown in January.

With underfoot conditions and barrier 10 in mind here she looks opposable, with preference for Luke Oliver’s TORLAAH who has shown good form on synthetic tracks this prep.

The gelding came home one-and-a-half-lengths clear of his rival when contesting a Benchmark 58 handicap over this distance on the synthetic track at Ballarat in July.

The son of Shalaa raced over the same distance on Pakenham’s synthetic surface when placing third in a Benchmark 64 handicap subsequently.

The 5.00 selection has been freshened since that effort, while Brad Rawiller’s mount will wear a cross-over noseband for the first time in this event.

The switch to turf should prove no issue with the four-year-old having broken his maiden on a good 4 track at Moe when debuting in December last year.

Rockcliff tipped for Bairnsdale success

The penultimate contest on the Bairnsdale card is a 1200m Benchmark 58 handicap.

Ray Besanko’s ROCKCLIFF takes the eye here, having delivered some good efforts in defeat this prep.

Those efforts include three second-place finishes, including when beaten on a good 4 track over 1009m at Echuca first up.

The 5.50 selection has been racing on wet tracks since then including when narrowly beaten on a heavy 8 surface over 1100m at Warrnambool on his penultimate start.

The gelding tackled a similar event to this on that occasion and placed third on a soft 6 track when stepped up to 1117m at Moe subsequently.

Logan Bates, on board for all five starts this prep, is again set to ride and jumping from barrier two his mount is selected to record his first win in over two years.