Grafton Betting Tips for July 16, 2026 - Best Bets for Grafton Cup Day

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Wed 15 Jul 2026 13:21

Alex Marsh 1 hour ago

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The Listed Grafton Cup headlines Thursday's feature meeting of the July Racing Carnival
An outstanding support card includes the $75,000 Sir James Kirby Quality and a host of competitive races.
We've analysed the key form lines, leading contenders and value opportunities across all eight races.
Read our complete Grafton betting tips for Thursday's Cup Day program

King Pedro heads the 2026 Grafton Cup market. (Getty)

Grafton hosts Thursday's feature meeting of the July Racing Carnival, with the Listed Grafton Cup headlining an outstanding eight-race program that also includes the $75,000 Sir James Kirby Quality.

Grafton Tips July 16
Village Green Hotel BM66 Showcase Tips (Race 3)
NBN News Springboard To Fame 2yo Plate Tips (Race 4)
Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup Tips (Race 7)
Sir James Kirby Quality Tips (Race 8)

A strong supporting card complements the feature staying contest, with several well-matched races providing plenty of betting opportunities.

The Daily Racing Multi has the leading combinations from multiple programs.

Grafton Tips July 16

Village Green Hotel BM66 Showcase Tips (Race 3)

Grafton Roughie - Race 3 No. 10 Humphree Bear

A Grafton-trained runner at long odds in a competitive sprint is Humphree Bear, who returns for his first start with the Shane Everson stable.

His previous campaign tapered off second and third-up, although he was respected in the market on both occasions after covering ground in a strong first-up Sunshine Coast victory on February 1.

The son of Calyx also opened last season with a fresh win over this distance after placing second-up, suggesting he's a horse best kept on the fresh side.

A particularly impressive July 5 trial here adds to the appeal, while he's been placed in two of three attempts at Grafton over this track and distance and has handled all surfaces.

Although speculative, Boris Thornton can push forward early from a wide draw that may not be the disadvantage it appears following Wednesday's pattern, and Humphree Bear is capable of giving this a shake.

NBN News Springboard To Fame 2yo Plate Tips (Race 4)

Grafton Favourite - Race 4 No. 8 Royal Exile

Few country riders are in better form than Aaron Bullock, who followed a winning double at Grafton on Sunday with a treble on Wednesday's Ramornie Handicap program.

He takes the reins aboard Royal Exile after partnering the two-year-old in an impressive Taree trial win on June 30, which was the best he's looked leading into this return.

The youngster showed ability throughout his first preparation, winning on debut before a narrow provincial defeat and then more than holding his own when eighth in the Inglis Millennium.

Jenny Graham's stable continues to produce talented juveniles, including recent Group 2 winner Vantorix, and Royal Exile looks another promising type.

Provided he handles this country assignment first-up, he looks capable of progressing to better races and has already been well supported in early betting.

Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup Tips (Race 7)

Grafton Feature Bet - Race 7 No. 11 King Pedro

There may still be more upside with King Pedro than many of his well-exposed rivals heading into the Listed Grafton Cup.

A key form reference ties him in favourably to So You Are, with King Pedro defeating Thebudgiesmugla despite covering ground at Gosford second-up in a race won by Monopolistic, who subsequently finished runner-up in the Queensland Derby.

The four-year-old was then freshened after a luckless Rosehill effort on June 13 before quickly atoning with a dominant Stayers Cup victory under Kerrin McEvoy.

That performance also confirmed he handles soft ground and stays the 2400m strongly.

With no penalty and just 54.5kg, the Tom Charlton-trained gelding ticks plenty of boxes despite the rise in grade.

Sir James Kirby Quality Tips (Race 8)

Grafton Best Bet - Race 8 No. 10 Zoutastic

Mister Bianco commands respect despite the query of returning over 1000m first-up, but Zoutastic looks to have been set specifically for this race.

The mare resumed with a sound effort behind the smart Ice Kool in a strong Benchmark 78 after a quiet June 1 trial, and that run should have brought her on nicely.

Her only previous appearance at Grafton resulted in a Class 2 victory during last year's carnival before she later resumed with an impressive Hawkesbury win over 1000m.

Terry Croft has his team going well after preparing Wednesday's upset winner Tides Turning, and this mare appears to have landed in another suitable assignment.

It's a tricky program unless siding with some short-priced favourites, and Zoutastic appeals at an each-way price.

Verdict

Grafton - July 16

Our Grafton tips for Thursday, July 16 are:

Zoutastic

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$9.50 - 3 Units

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Royal Exile

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$1.80 - 3 Units

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King Pedro

To Win

$1.95 - 3 Units

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Humphree Bear

Each Way

$21.00 - 1 Unit

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