Race 7, Grafton, Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup
The Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup runs over 2350m at Grafton on 16 July 2026, with the track rated Good. In a bigger field at that distance, the squeeze through the early stages tends to sort runners quickly, and the profile that fits best is one capable of handling that middle traffic without losing position or momentum.
King Pedro ($1.98) sits at the head of the market and is the narrowly preferred runner by a considerable margin. He drops in class here, having contested stronger company in recent starts, and the step back to Listed grade is a genuine point in his favour. The caution is a form line that has trended down from earlier efforts. If he has returned to peak condition, the class relief makes him the one to beat. If the decline is structural rather than incidental, the margin over his rivals shrinks fast.
Pounding ($6.00) is the clear second string. He has been tested against quality fields and has proven he belongs at this level. The same declining form note applies, which is worth keeping in mind, but at three times the odds of the favourite he offers a more forgiving entry point if you read the form as cyclical rather than terminal.
So You Are ($7.50) brings a finishing burst that looks better than most in this field on paper. He closes, and 2350m on a Good track should suit that profile if the tempo is honest. The declining form note is the common thread across all three leading contenders, so the question becomes which runner is closest to turning the corner.
The conditions most likely to change this read: any late track-rating shift away from Good, or a tempo that collapses in the final 600m and hands the race to the leader before the closers can wind up. Watch the market closer to jump for any significant move on Pounding or So You Are.
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