Trainer Jake Hull knows it won’t be easy but is looking forward to testing his improving stayer Six Foot Song in the Grafton Cup Prelude.
The five-year-old first caught the eye when making up a lot of ground when fifth behind Sonofdec at Newcastle over 1500m at his first run in New South Wales before winning two of his next three starts.
Trainer Jake Hull isn’t underestimating the task ahead of Six Foot Song but feels the stayer’s smart turn of foot can help him overcome his rivals.
“He is definitely progressing in the right direction,” said Hull.
“Obviously, this is a lot stronger race than I have run him so far which some horses in there dropping back from Listed grade.
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“In saying that, he beat a nice horse in Magicon at Newcastle and before that, he ran Sonofdec to under a length.
“I had this race earmarked for him a while back. To get here, I had to run him at Wyong from an unsuitable barrier to then get him to Tamworth for that 2100 metre race.
“One thing that Wyong race showed us is that he does have a really good turn of foot.
“He had to get a long way back from the wide gate and Wyong was never really going to suit him but when Jeff (Penza) did press the button, he made up a lot of ground very quickly out four and five deep.
“With 55kg on his back and Ben Looker on board, he should show that turn of foot.”
Hull isn’t worried about stepping up in trip to 2235m and even feels the son of Toronado could even get further.
“He showed me he should have no trouble running out trip strongly by the way he won over 2100 metres at Tamworth last start and it wouldn’t surprise me if he got a further as well,” he said.
“It seems the right path for him to have a go at this grade.
“If he happened to win this weekend, the (Grafton) Cup might be a bit strong for him but there is a nice Class 6 over 2200 metres on Ramornie Day so there is a couple of options for him.”
Six Foot Song came from last and burst between runners to win at Newcastle in May. Picture: Bradley Photos
Joining Six Foot Song on the truck to Grafton are two-year-old Ferinzo and Lord Vettori who will make their race debuts in the Springboard to Fame Preludes (1020m).
Ferinzo will contest the first prelude where he has drawn barrier 11.
The son of Cosmic Force was impressive winning his Wyong barrier trial on June 19 where he jumped to front of the 845m heat and went on to score by nearly four lengths.
“I have a lot of time for this horse,” Hull said.
“I gave him a couple of trials as an early two-year-old but he wasn’t quite ready so we put him away.
“He was quite impressive in his trial at Wyong the other day but is still quite raw and learning.
“I have been impressed with what I have seen this preparation but he will be even better in another six months.”
Lord Vettori will tackle the second prelude where he has come up with barrier 6.
The colt also trialled at Wyong on the same day when third behind the promising Firework over 1000m.
Although beaten six lengths, the son of Rubick showed good speed early but was kept under a hold to the line.
“His trial at Wyong was a lot better than it seems. He wasn’t asked for much of an effort in the straight and could have finished closer we wanted him to,” Hull said.
ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 5 No. 4: Dusan
The Dwayne Schmidt-trained gelding has scored big wins at his last two starts including one on heavy ground. Set for the hat-trick.
NEXT BEST
Race 3 No. 13: Sirius Flyer
Improving with each run as she steps up in trip. Close second last time out and ready to break through.
VALUE BET
Race 6 No. 7: Six Foot Song
Has found his best form since coming to NSW winning two of his last three. Up in grade but ready to the challenge.
QUADDIE
Race 6: 1, 2, 7
Race 7: 5, 8, 9
Race 8: 1, 8, 9
Race 9: 1, 7, 9, 10
Cejay Graham looks set for a good day at Grafton. Picture: Grant Peters – Trackside Photography
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Cejay Graham has a nice book of rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.
INSIDE MAIL – GRAFTON
RACE 1
Ferinzo is a $190,000 Magic Millions graduate from the first crop of stakes performer Cosmic Force. Showed good speed to lead all-the-way in his Wyong trial on June 19. Aquafire was just pipped by the older Wotsit here last start. Back against his own age. Takeover Lad also took on older horses when third to Super Sioux at Tamworth on debut. Spoiler, by Prized Icon, has also trialled well.
Bet: Ferinzo to win
RACE 2
Their Finest Hour followed his good trial form with a handy second to the Scarlett Thunder on debut at Lismore on June 18. Bred to handle the heavy track. Lord Vettori is a debutant by Rubick. Was eased down when third to Firework in his June 19 heat at Wyong. Brutal Belle is a first starter by Brutal Nice second to Young Bravo in her Wyong trial on June 19.
Bet: Their Finest Hour to win
RACE 3
Sirius Flyer was a game fourth on debut after sitting three-wide at Scone before two second placings at Moree over 1400m and over 1600m at Tamworth when beaten a half-length. Supreme Lucas has placed in just two of 10 starts but they were on heavy tracks at his last two runs. More Elements drops back from a 2040m maiden at Doomben. Was runner-up this track and distance the start prior.
Bet: Sirus Flyer to win
RACE 4
Solar Power scored a good win from Orsum on a Heavy 10 at Coffs Harbour. Gave away 5kg when just beaten by Golden Honour at Kempsey last start. Wahine Galaxy is coming off a close win from Slippin’ Jimmy at Doomben on June 5. Heavy track is the query. Change The Date has won three of his last five starts with the latest two on heavy ground.
Bet: Solar Power to win
RACE 5
Dusan, a close relation to Giga Kick and Alabama Express, can bring up the hat-trick after back-to-back wins at Murwillumbah including a near three length all-the-way win on heavy ground. Powder Man is also chasing three in-a-row after wet track wins at Coffs Harbour and Tuncurry. Races well this track and this distance. More Than A Star stormed home from last runner-up to I’m Not Slew at Scone first-up. Big chance.
Bet: Dusan to win
RACE 6
Six Foot Song has found his best form since coming the NSW. Was an eye-catching fifth to Sonofdec over 1500m first-up before winning two of his next three starts as he stepped up in trip. Up in grade but has a good turn of foot and will run a big race. Nikau Spur and Port Philip are both dropping back from Listed company. Neither were beaten far in the Ipswich Cup last start
Bet: Six Foot Song each-way
Monte Cruise can go back-to-back for trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith. Picture: Bradley Photos
RACE 7
Monte Cruise resumed from a lengthy break for Noel Mayfield-Smith with a two and a half length win from Bun In The Oven on a Heavy 10 at Coffs Harbour on June 14. Kept fresh and will go close again. Tsunoda followed three consecutive placings with his break through win on a Heavy 10 at Coffs Harbour on May 31. Raced wide throughout when fifth to Orsum last start. Strong Martini has place claims.
Bet: Monte Cruise to win
RACE 8
Corfe Castle scored a win at the Sunshine Coast and was second to Viminele at Doomben at his last two starts before a spell. Worked home nicely for third in his recent Gold Coast trial. Ljungberg continues to race well deep into his preparation. Nice win at Kempsey last start and was runner-up at Newcastle three runs earlier. Fender will appreciate a drop in grade and is coming of a handy trial win.
Bet: Corfe Castle to win
RACE 9
Procyon Miss was just behind the placegetters in her first two starts. Returned from a spell with a two length win from Meghan on the Gold Coast Polytrack. Former Victorian Immortality had solid prior to moving north including a smart Geelong win and was a close fourth at Caulfield. Trialling well ahead of his first NSW run. Scarlett Thunder scored a nice all-the-way win to break her maiden at Lismore last start.
Bet: Procyon Miss to win