Grafton Betting Tips for July 24, 2026 - Hitting The Minor Key

Alex Marsh

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Last updated: Wed 22 Jul 2026 15:36

Alex Marsh 1 hour ago

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Nine-race Grafton meeting on July 24 features competitive fields
Best bets: Minor Key (R3), Monte Carlo Miss (R9), Junostar value in R1
Positive trainer/jockey stats and form boost confidence in selections

Grafton hosts a nine-race meeting on Friday. (Getty)

Grafton stages a nine-race country program on Friday, July 24, with a competitive card featuring a mix of maidens, Benchmark races and Class 1 contests.

Grafton Tips July 24
CJM Lawyers Maiden Plate Tips (Race 1)
Dougherty Property CG&E BM58 Handicap Tips (Race 3)
Jockeys & Trainers Re-Union 29 August Tips (Race 9)

Several lightly raced runners and in-form country gallopers headline the meeting, with a number of open betting races on the program.

For the latest odds on Australia's biggest races, explore the Group 1 Futures Markets.

Grafton Tips July 24

CJM Lawyers Maiden Plate Tips (Race 1)

Grafton Value Bet - Race 1 No. 12 Junostar

This daughter of Dundeel is from a terrific family that includes the late Miss Finland, and she's bred to get over ground.

Her full sister is the handy Ciaron Maher-trained Twilight Elegance, who won over 2500m at Pakenham back in March, so Junostar should relish stepping up to 1630m following her return over 1410m at Grafton on July 12.

She was never a serious winning chance after settling back from a wide draw but still made inroads late for a fifth-of-14 finish, while both June trials leading into that resumption were sound.

The filly was mostly competitive throughout her first campaign over late spring and early summer, including a second-up placing at Grafton on November 30.

There were excuses for her final start before a spell at Lismore on January 4, where she pulled up lame, and from a kinder draw over a more suitable trip on Friday, Junostar can settle closer to the speed at an appealing each-way price.

Dougherty Property CG&E BM58 Handicap Tips (Race 3)

Grafton Best Bet - Race 3 No. 6 Minor Key

The last two starters from the Jason Edwards stable have both saluted, with Margot's Deel winning an Eagle Farm Class 3 on July 15 before Lukey Blue followed up with a strong provincial victory at Ipswich a day later.

Edwards now saddles Minor Key, who tackles 1200m for the third time after an excellent runner-up finish at the Sunshine Coast on July 12.

He charged home from the rear with the race's fastest closing sectionals on that occasion and looks very well placed in a country BM58 sprint that lacks depth.

The four-year-old is still chasing his first win since a successful Ipswich debut last winter, although he has consistently measured up in stronger company, including a three-length fourth in a Doomben Class 1 three starts ago.

He also should have finished closer in that city appearance and, while the statistics don't necessarily suggest it, Minor Key may be looking for firmer ground, with his latest Sunshine Coast effort supporting that view.

Jockeys & Trainers Re-Union 29 August Tips (Race 9)

Grafton Next Best Bet - Race 9 No. 5 Monte Carlo Miss

Apprentice Bailie Baker has been a profitable jockey to follow in 2026, with 20 winners this calendar year, a 21% ROI and a 20% strike-rate at Grafton this season.

Baker partnered Monte Carlo Miss when the filly bolted in to win her maiden at Casino two starts back after building nicely through the early stages of this preparation.

The campaign began with a solid return in a strong Gold Coast maiden before an improved second-up performance on June 13.

She was then a touch unlucky not to complete back-to-back wins on July 4 after being taken back from a wide draw and ridden for luck, only to encounter plenty of traffic before finishing fourth-of-14.

This country Class 1 is no stronger, while she's superbly in at the weights being 1.5kg below the minimum after the claim, and draws barrier one, the same gate she jumped from when recording her dominant maiden victory.