Igraine Heads 2019 Grafton Cup Nominations & Odds

July 6, 2019

Igraine Heads 2019 Grafton Cup Nominations & Odds

A huge effort in the wet to take out last weekend’s Caloundra Cup by over two lengths has the Robert Priscott-trained Kiwi mare Igraine as the early favourite in Grafton Cup 2019 betting for next Thursday.

He Ekscels. Photo: Steve Hart.

He Ekscels is one of the early 2019 Grafton Cup favourites. Photo: Steve Hart.

The headline race of the coveted two-day Grafton Cup Carnival, this winter’s edition of the $160,000 Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) attracted 19 early entries at nomination stage this week.

Heading the Grafton Cup nominations and weights with a hefty 59kg allocation, German-bred Galileo six-year-old Igraine will be chasing a winter cups double.

She saluted on a Heavy (10) Sunshine Coast track on June 29 by over two lengths when Robbie Fradd rode the New Zealand raider to victory in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m).

Igraine only had 54kg that day and will need to be on the improve with a notable five kilograms more in the Grafton Cup.

Still, the bookies are taking no chances with the Caloundra Cup winner at $4 in pre-field Grafton Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Second elect at all-in Grafton Cup odds of $6 are then He Ekscels and Primitivo.

Ekraar five-year-old He Ekscels chases a third win on the trot after wins at Echuca and Rosehill respectively.

He is yet to win over further than 2100m, but thrives on a wet track and is in flying form this preparation.

The John Thompson-trained Primitivo is another last-start winner, the four-year-old son of Sebring having saluted on a Heavy (8) Randwick track on June 22 over 2000m.

That was his third victory from 16 starts and Primitivo looks well-weighted for the Grafton Cup coming back from 56.5kg to next Thursday’s 54kg minimum.

Thompson has also nominated for Mossman six-year-old Reneged ($15), winner of the 2016 Grafton Guineas and third in last year’s Grafton Cup trifecta when only a length off the winner First Crush.

Along with the winner Igraine, the other best Caloundra Cup graduates nominated for a rematch in the Grafton Cup are the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained runner-up Sopressa and the Chris Waller-trained fourth placed Exoteric.

Four-year-old So You Think mare Sopressa is at a current $11 quote going up from her 54kg Caloundra Cup weight to 56.5kg at Grafton.

Exoteric meanwhile is the 59kg co-topweight with Igraine, the European import chasing his first turf triumph since the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) at Rosehill in December last year.

Currently Exoteric is at $7 in the Grafton Cup futures, equal with Richard Laming’s consistent Host mare No Money No Honey who comes off four top three runs this campaign.

Other notable Grafton Cup nominees include Tony Pike’s last-start Doomben winner Sacred Day and the the Gold Coast-trained Happy Go Plucky.

Prepared by John Gilmore, Pluck five-year-old Happy Go Plucky won the Grafton Cup Prelude (2200m) carrying a hefty 61kg on June 30 and will relish the drop back to 54kg on Thursday chasing the double.

The official Grafton Cup 2019 field and barriers are out on Monday followed by updated markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Z...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pr...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

Pride Of Jenni was enormous running her rivals ragged with a blistering...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results:...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Dublin Down is into Saturday week’s 2024 Golden Slipper field after a gutsy...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results:...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

Celestial Legend put the writing on the wall for a huge year ahead with the...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Top honours in the 2024 Canterbury Stakes results at Royal Randwick went to...

Race Results

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Zougotcha Dives Late to Salute

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Race Previews

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Magic Night Winner Drifting Firms in Golden Slipper 2024 Betting

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

Fields & Form

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

2024 Randwick Guineas Field & Odds Update: Militarize Set to Strike Second-Up