3 minute read
Honest filly Never Doubt Me can return to winning form in today's J.R. Richards & Sons Handicap (race 7) at Grafton.
The Port Macquarie trained mare was placed on her home track but with a great record in soft ground can bounce back with a win in this Benchmark 75 over 1200m.
Prepared by Neil Godbolt, Never Doubt Me was a Newcastle winner in Benchmark 70 class six back before finishing a length fourth in the Walcha Cup at Armidale.
Backing up a week later, she dropped back to 1200m at home in this grade and after settling just off the pace battled on well after being swamped late, finishing sixth in an excellent form race with five subsequent winners.
Three weeks later the mare raced here in open class over 1400m and after drawing wide was pushed along early to sit outside the leader early, before taking a sit just off the lead.
Easing into the clear, she switched around heels and ran on hard to score a length win over Capital Raising.
Next start, in a Benchmark 70 over 1450m when carrying 60kg at Kempsey, she sat fourth before striding to the lead at the top of the straight and kicking away for a three-quarter length win over Mauled.
Last start, back at home over 1012m in this grade, she was beaten for speed over the shorter trip and turned well back before running on hard to finish third.
The mare carries the same weight in the same class today but will appreciate the extra furlong.
The track suits her and she has a great record at the journey.
In slow to heavy ground she has started five times for four wins and a second, while her overall record is good as well, with eight wins and five minors from just 18 starts.
She is rarely far away and looks well placed to return to winning form today.
The Brett Bellamy trained Cyclone Brad may appreciate heading to the country after recent form in Brisbane and looks a big danger.
The gelding was fourth fresh over 1020m at Doomben before covering ground there from a wide gate and finishing eighth.
Racing here over 1000m in an open handicap, he didn't have the best of luck when pushed wide on the turn but got home well for third.
Two starts back he returned to Brisbane to finish fourth over 1010m at Doomben when finishing hard then placed at Eagle Farm last time, again closing late.
He has a nice weight today as he returns to Grafton and has a decent record here.
While yet to win on slow ground he has run some good races and should be finishing on hard today.
Save A Buck made some ground here last time in open class and will find this easier. He soft ground suits and he looks an each way chance.
O'Dellini was poor in town last time but is much better placed here, while Far Dooley ran well in easier grade fresh and on a sound second up record with no weight will cross and take catching again.