Grafton Race 4 - Nbn News Springboard To Fame 2yo Showcase Plate
ROYAL EXILE (8) is a promising juvenile back from a five-month spell. The maiden prep was highlighted by a close second in a metro quality 1200m race at Wyong at the second career run. Looked good in a recent Taree trial so a bright return is on the cards. FEARLESS WIN (3) had a six-week break before running a better race last time out over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast where she made significant late inroads. Gets back again from a poor barrier but watch for her late. SLIPPIN' AWAY (9) resumed with an effortless all-the-way victory recently over 1015m at this track. Has only been to the races twice so there is a stack of upside. AIRBORNE AFFAIR (2) started at $1.90 and got the job done on debut last start at Rockhampton. Kept fresh and should not be underestimated. ZEE FIRE (13) produced a real eye-catcher on debut here behind SLIPPIN' AWAY 11 days ago. Can improve enough to turn the tables.
Jockey: Ben Looker
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Lining up for just third start. At big odds at debut, 6th of 12 at Tamworth Mdn-Sw on June 15 over 1000m, slow going 3.5 len behind Eezitosort carrying 56.5kg at $26. Second-up led but faded 3rd of 10 at Tamworth Super Mdn on July 3 over 1200m, slow going 5 len behind Zousanity carrying 56kg at $7. Should be ridden forward again and cannot be underestimated.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/10 | 03/07/2026 | 18 | MDN | $50,000.00 | Tamworth | 1200m | Soft 7 | Ben Looker | 56kg | 1:11.44 | 1-1-3 | 8 |
| 4.8L | $7.00 |
| 6/12 | 15/06/2026 | - | MDN | $27,000.00 | Tamworth | 1000m | Soft 5 | Madeline Owen | 56.5kg | 0:57.45 | 8-8-6 | 6 |
| 3.3L | $26.00 |
| 4/4 | 18/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Gosford | 800m | Soft | Rory Hutchings | 56kg | 0:51.11 | - | 0 |
| 3.5L | $0.00 |
| 1/2 | 16/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Armidale | 1000m | Good | Luke Rolls | 53kg | 1:03.34 | - | 0 |
| 0.01L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Ashley Butler
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Freshened since claiming his maiden victory on debut; favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.5 len at Rockhampton 2yo Hcp June 5 over 1050m defeating Diante carrying 59kg at $1.90. Since won trial at Deagon over 1050m on July 7. Has upside and can make it two on the trot.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 07/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Deagon | 1050m | Soft | Ashley Butler | 54kg | 1:02.91 | - | 1 |
| 7.21L | $0.00 |
| 1/7 | 05/06/2026 | - | OPEN 2 | $21,000.00 | Rockhampton | 1050m | Good 4 | Ashley Butler | 59kg | 1:01.24 | 3-3-1 | 4 |
| 0.5L | $1.90 |
| 1/6 | 08/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Beaudesert | 1050m | Soft | Brandon Lerena | 55kg | 1:02.76 | - | 3 |
| 0.55L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Aaron Bullock
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing first-up today. Finished off last campaign eighth of 16 at Randwick in the LR Millennium February 7 over 1100m, 4 len behind Fireball with 56.5kg at $101. On debut won by 0.7 len Taree Ctry Mdn December 23 over 1000m defeating Agent Max carrying 55kg at $1.75. Everything points to a bright return.
Last Starts 15 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 30/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Taree | 1000m | Heavy | Aaron Bullock | 54kg | 1:01.08 | - | 0 |
| 1.54L | $0.00 |
| 8/16 | 07/02/2026 | 28 | LR OPEN 2 | $2,030,000.00 | Randwick | 1100m | Good 4 | Sam Clipperton | 56.5kg | 1:03.61 | 11-12-8 | 14 |
| 4.0L | $101.00 |
| 2/5 | 10/01/2026 | 18 | OPEN 2 | $160,000.00 | Wyong | 1200m | Good 4 | Ashley Morgan | 58kg | 1:11.68 | 2-2-2 | 2 |
| 0.2L | $1.90 |
| 1/10 | 23/12/2025 | - | MDN | $30,000.00 | Taree | 1000m | Good 4 | Ashley Morgan | 55kg | 0:57.75 | 5-5-1 | 3 |
| 0.7L | $1.75 |
| 2/7 | 09/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 800m | Good | Ashley Morgan | 0:50.24 | - | 0 |
| 0.08L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Karl Zechner
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Third race start. First start ran second last of 8 at Doomben 2yo Mdn-Sw on January 17 over 1110m, 19 len behind Areprice carrying 58kg at $16. Went for a break before returning won by 2 len at this track 2yo Mdn-Sw July 5 over 1015m on a rain affected track defeating Zee Fire with 57kg at $19. Still has scope for improvement and should be right in the mix.
Last Starts 10 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 05/07/2026 | 169 | MDN 2 | $27,000.00 | Grafton | 1015m | Soft 5 | Karl Zechner | 57kg | 0:58.77 | 1-1-1 | 3 |
| 2.0L | $19.00 |
| 2/7 | 23/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Gold Coast | 850m | Soft | Karl Zechner | 54kg | 0:50.67 | - | 3 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 |
| 7/8 | 17/01/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $40,000.00 | Doomben | 1110m | Good 4 | Damien Thornton | 58kg | 1:04.44 | 7-7-7 | 7 |
| 19.1L | $16.00 |
| 4/6 | 30/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Gold Coast | 1000m | Soft | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | 53kg | 0:57.44 | - | 2 |
| 8.8L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Alysha Collett
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Two-year-old gelding (Astern - Harada Tat Tat) has trialled on three occasions leading into today's race. Won a trial over 1000m at Hawkesbury on June 29. Keen to see what the betting says.
Last Starts 16 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 29/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Hawkesbury | 1000m | Heavy | Alysha Collett | 50kg | 1:00.36 | - | 0 |
| 0.41L | $0.00 |
| 2/6 | 05/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Kembla Grange | 800m | Soft | Amy Mclucas | 53kg | 0:49.17 | - | 0 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 |
| 6/7 | 24/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Hawkesbury | 800m | Good | Chad Lever | 0:48.20 | - | 0 |
| 6.42L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Mollie Fitzgerald
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Dual acceptor. Jumped at big odds at debut, settled back and ran on when 5th of 10 at this track 2yo Mdn-Sw on July 5 over 1015m, slow going 4 len behind Slippin' Away carrying 55kg at $31. Looking to others.
Last Starts 10 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/10 | 05/07/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $27,000.00 | Grafton | 1015m | Soft 5 | Grady Spokes | 55kg | 0:58.77 | 9-7-5 | 6 |
| 4.0L | $31.00 |
| 2/8 | 23/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Taree | 1000m | Heavy | Grady Spokes | 55kg | 1:00.79 | - | 0 |
| 1.07L | $0.00 |
| 6/7 | 05/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Taree | 1000m | Heavy | Liberty Smyth | 52kg | 1:01.15 | - | 0 |
| 10.01L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jake Bayliss
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Was well in the market at debut, ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 10 at this track 2yo Mdn-Sw on July 5 over 1015m, slow going 2 len behind Slippin' Away carrying 55kg at $5. Big chance with that race experience to prove invaluable.
Last Starts 10 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/10 | 05/07/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $27,000.00 | Grafton | 1015m | Soft 5 | Jake Bayliss | 55kg | 0:58.77 | 10-10-2 | 2 |
| 2.0L | $5.00 |
| 6/10 | 30/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Grafton | 955m | Good | Jodi Worley | 0:55.71 | - | 0 |
| 2.47L | $0.00 |