WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON CARNIVAL DAY 3. RAMORNIE DAY, 8 JULY 2020

By Darren Winningham | Monday, July 6, 2020

GRAFTON – RAMORNIE DAY – WEDNESDAY 8 JULY 2019

Day 3 of the GRAFTON CARNIVAL 2020 and it is headlined time-honoured Ramornie Handicap – a race in which some great sprinters have saluted. The track has held up well so far and has been posted as SOFT for the meeting. The rail is in the true position for the entire course and I would expect the jockeys to be hugging the rail early before coming wide for the feature races.

Kristen Buchanan trained the quinella in the Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup which was won by Jazzland, who now will be aimed at a provincial Cup like the Coffs Harbour, Taree or Port Macquarie Cup. The winner was ridden by Koby Jennings who will be in an enthralling battle with local jockey Ben Looker over the coming days to be crowned “jockey of the Carnival.” The runner-up, Brazen was ridden to perfection by Cejay Graham who had won an earlier race aboard Debrief in race 4 on the Day 2 program.

The riding highlight of the day was Ben Looker riding four of the seven winners.

Now we move on to the Ramornie on Wednesday with a large field. Some of the more favoured runners have drawn wide. Maybe this year will be one of those years where an upset may occur!

It is time to preview the program which I will be watching from the pub in Grafton due to the racing restrictions still in place in NSW.
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Race 1

A sprint race to start off the day.

Tony Newing, from Gosford, had a successful Carnival in 2019 – he continues to bring a team north and excels each year. He has trained a winner on each day of the Carnival so far.

His runner Divine Approach (1) was striking winning first up on Day 1 of the Carnival when ridden by Matthew Bennett. If she turns up an effort like that – she should be winning this race.

Brett Cavanough is another trainer who makes a habit of launching an assault on this Carnival each year. He has a lightly raced filly having her first look at the track – Bit of a Beauty (3). She is fourth up and has had her runs spaced apart. She should race well here. Jason Collett has made the trip north to partner her.

Illecebrous (2) is trained by the powerful Kris Lees stable. She comes off a solid win last start on a heavy track at Port Macquarie. She will sit back and come home late and Andrew Gibbons will ride her again.

Selections:

1 – Divine Approach
3 – Bit Of A Beauty
2 – Illecebrous
7 – Sylvia’s Memory

Race 2

The Winning Edge race over a mile – they have sponsored a race at the CRJC for many years and are long-time supporters of the Carnival.

Arcalette (7) is trained at Murwillumbah by Matthew Dunn Racing and comes off a solid second at Casino. I think getting back to a larger track and up to a mile she will be right up for this challenge.

Zamosa (9) comes off a maiden win at Dalby over 1400 metres and steps up to a mile. The time in that win was good. It is a massive step up in grade. Jason Collett has been booked to partner the mare in her attempt to post consecutive wins.

Brigid of Kildare (5) is bred and is owned by Gerry Harvey from Harvey Norman fame! This mare is trained by Stephen Jones and will be ridden by Rachel King. She is fourth up this run and looks to be looking for a mile this preparation. She has raced on wet tracks in her past two starts. I just think on a firmer surface she will show an improved effort.

Selections:

7 – Arcalette
9 – Zamosa
5 – Brigid of Kildare
4 – Willo Titto

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