Freshened and contested race at Grafton

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 7, 2026

Four-year-old gelding CDARON, trained by Mayfield-Smith, will race over 1100 meters on a soft track at Grafton after a short break, with jockey backing and a solid record at this venue. Despite mixed recent results, his consistent performances first and second-up suggest he could build on his momentum in a competitive field.

The upcoming race at Grafton features the four-year-old gelding CDARON, who will be tested over a 1100-meter distance on a soft track. Trained by Mayfield-Smith and ridden by a leading jockey, CDARON has shown consistent form at this venue, holding a record of two wins and two placings from 11 starts at Grafton.

Bred from Caravaggio and Lagonda, CDARON has competed 29 times with 4 victories and 8 placings overall. His performances indicate a preference for firm and good track conditions, where he has accumulated the majority of his wins. Notably, CDARON has competed well over distances ranging from 1005 meters to 1312 meters, securing wins and strong finishes in previous outings.

After a brief layoff, CDARON returns freshened for this contest. His last win came on August 24, when he narrowly missed out after closing strongly from midfield in a Benchmark 58 event at Grafton. Despite that effort, this race presents a greater challenge, with a more competitive field expected.

CDARON’s recent form has been mixed, running several off-the-board finishes interspersed with occasional placings. He has shown the ability to perform consistently first and second-up from breaks, suggesting his current preparation is on track.

Trainers and connections will be looking for CDARON to carry his recent momentum forward and improve on his past efforts over this journey. With a winning strike rate of nearly 14 percent and nearly 38 percent placed, he remains a contender in what is shaping up to be a competitive race at Grafton.

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