AU - Grafton - Race 5

DAMAS (6) gets the nod after a fifth in Quality grade at Port Macquarie where he was keen early and hampered late, beaten only a length and a half. His prior third in a BM74 at the same venue was sound, and his record around 5 ?f gives him the right profile to rebound strongly. RICH STAR (5) is the clear danger on consistency, having been placed at all four starts this campaign and beaten just under a length in Class 3 company at both recent runs. Weight relief helps from the low draw. SISTINE EXPLORER (9) has not fired in two runs back, but third-up fitness, wet-track form and weight relief keep her in the winning mix if she improves sharply. DUNE AND DUSTED (7) has been competitive in BM66 grade, including a close fourth at this venue last start, and the big weight drop gives him a genuine place-to-win platform despite the rise in grade.