Talented galloper Starlist hasn’t won for almost 12 months but he could finally crack it for win number six at Grafton on Monday.
Starlist, who runs in the in the Tursa Employment/Training Benchmark 55 (1610m), has raced 12 times since his last victory at Grafton in April last year.
Leading jockey Matthew Paget is back aboard Starlist and feels the gelding is capable of hitting back.
“He has drawn the outside alley, but his pattern is to normally race right forward or right back so I have options from out there, Paget said.
“He sat second last time I rode him and I may adopt those tactics again.”
Starlist fell last time out, but he has been fine since and on his best form would be right in the finish.
The jockey won two races in succession on Starlist last campaign and the horse will be fitter following a few runs back from a spell.
Paget, who won last season’s Northern Rivers premiership for the first time, is glad to be back riding at his home track after doing a great portion of riding on the Gold Coast.
The 33-year-old has a few top chances with Nikody in the first race the XXXX Gold 2yo Country Plate (1100m) favoured to kick off his day with a win.
“I have won twice on him. He has the experience and goes well,” Paget said.
“It’s only a small field of five and he looks well placed again.”
Paget will have added incentive aboard debutant Conman, who like Starlist, is prepared by Shane Everson.
His partner Abbi Dalton has a share in Conman who will also have to overcome a wide alley.
“He looks like he might need a mile (1600m) or so and he needs some experience, but his work has been good,” Paget said.
Conman is one of six first starters in the Metro Hotels Maiden (1100m).
Paget will also ride Beautiful from gate one and Be Afraid who has finished second at two of his past three starts the latest at Casino on Saturday.
“Beautiful ran a top race to finish second at Coffs Harbour. He jumps well and races on the speed which will suit him at Grafton,” he said.
The jockey is likely to be favourite in the jockeys challenge with Warp Nine another of his winning hopes in the second race.
AAP TURF
