WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON, JULY 7, RAMORNIE DAY

By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, July 6, 2021

GRAFTON RACES – WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021

RAMORNIE DAY

We head to GRAFTON for the third day of the 2021 GRAFTON CARNIVAL. It is the traditional RAMORNIE day – sponsored by the Grafton District Services Club … with the track rated as “SOFT” and the rail is true for the entire circuit. The track over the part two meetings has favoured runners on the pace or need the lead – I have kept this in mind whilst doing my preview.

NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.

Race 1

The first race is a Class 2 over the mile.

I like the solid win last start of Prince Arli (8) at Coffs Harbour over the mile when racing on the speed on a soft track and ridden by Andrew Gibbons who retains the ride – looks well placed here by trainer Lisa Shepperd.

Divine Eleven (2) from the Matthew Dunn yards won over 1350 metres last time out at Doomben – looks like the mile will be no trouble.

Brazen Force (6), trained by Kris Lees Racing, worked home nicely last time out at Lismore. Down in weight and, at the extra distance, looks like a good chance – Andrew Mallyon will ride.

Jay Curve (10) from the Edward O’Rourke stables at Murwillumbah is fourth up here – keep safe over the mile.

Selections:

8 – Prince Arli
2 – Divine Eleven
6 – Brazen Force
10 – Jay Curve
Rough chance – (11) Electric Miss

Race 2

Distance race over 2200 metres – looks a tough field on paper.

Nearly the same race numbers as the first race from me.

Onemore Sapphire (2) is the early odds-on favourite from the Tracey Bartley yards. Has been racing consistently. Won here in 2019 on this day over the mile. In his past few starts he has raced on wet tracks and his sectionals have been superb – that would suggest he will sprint well late here. Aaron Bullock rides – has a good relationship with the horse with three rides for two wins and a second – it is obvious why is a short-priced favourite.

I like the runner up in the Grafton Cup prelude – Scilago (8) who gets in with a three kilogram pull on the favourite. He is trained by Leon Elliot and Leah Kilner remains aboard. He was checked in that race last time and lost some momentum – probably would not have won the race, but I think at $8 he is a better each way proposition.

Oakfield Cherokee (6) ran third in the Cup Prelude – is trained by Kristen Buchanan and Ashley Morgan will ride. Did come from a fair way back last start – maybe they will ride him closer in this race in which case he will be hard to beat.

Selections:

8 – Scilago
2 – Onemore Sapphire
6 – Oakfield Cherokee
1 – Flying Mojo

Race 3

A maiden over 1000 metres.

Are We Good (16), trained by Tony Ball, won a recent trial impressively at Taree over 1000 metres on a heavy track. He is only lightly raced – I think that at $21 he is a great each way proposition – strong rider Aaron Bullock adds some appeal to this runner.

Schiller Bay (6) is trained at Port Macquarie by Jenny Graham and will be ridden by Ashley Morgan. This runner won a barrier trial in a slightly faster time than Are We Good (16). Jenny always seems to get a winner Carnival time and there has been solid support for this runner since the markets opened.

Alpine Dancer (2), despite drawing wide, could cause an upset with Matthew McGuren to ride.

Lord Baron (5) is trained by Brett Cavanough and will be ridden by Ben Looker. Solid effort last time out at Scone over 1000 metres. Was held up at a vital point before getting out and then just peaked on his run – will strip fitter – watch for an improved effort.

Selections:

6 – Schiller Bay
16 – Are We Good
5 – Lord Bronn
2 – Alpine Racer
Rough chance – (9) Face The Facts

Race 4

A 1100 metres race at Class 2 level – a large field to face the starter.

Les Kelly trains War Toy (14) and Ben Thompson will ride. This runner has had two barrier trials. The last one was nothing to write home about, but the previous one was strong. Has drawn well and will ping the gates and race prominently – just some concern whether his condition will hold out late.

Alpha Go (5) raced in the Grafton Guineas Prelude for Tony Newing. He chased them home without threatening. I think coming back in distance makes him a genuine chance – the addition of the blinkers as well should get his mind on the job. Blaike McDougall will ride him in this race.

Nishikori is trained at Murwillumbah by Matthew Dunn. There has been good support for this runner since the markets opened so there must be some confidence in him. His recent trial on the Gold Coast was strong and he must be respected in this race. He did win his maiden race here on this track back in February this year.

Selections:

14 – War Toy
5 – Alpha Go
12 – Nishikori
1 – Phoenix River

Race 5

An open affair this. The first leg of the Quaddie.

Another Class 2 over 1100 metres for the girls this time.

Lasting Kiss (11) resumed with a solid win on day one of the Carnival here for Stephen Lee. I think coming back from 1215 metres to the shorter distance will be an advantage – Alysha Collett will ride her here. She is the pre-post favourite and must be respected.

Jubai Pride (4) is a John Gilmore trained runner with Stephanie Thornton to ride. Has had a three week freshen up and will handle this shorter distance and no drama on the soft surface. From barrier 7, I expect this runner to be no further than three pairs back and will be looking to put them to the sword late.

Bell of Clonmei (3), trained by Jay Hopkins, resumed at Gosford on a bog heavy track and tired late. Will strip fitter for that effort, has drawn the rails and should race prominently in this field.

Wicked Wench (1) resumed at Kensington and on paper looked disappointing. I give her a chance at a massive price here – she has won at the track and has Matthew McGuren riding but she has drawn poorly in barrier 18.

Selections:

4 – Jubai Pride
11 – Lasting Kiss
3 – Bell of Clonmei
1 – Wicked Wench

Race 6 TURSA GRAFTON GUINEAS

The first leg of the treble – the TURSA Grafton Guineas.

John O’Shea trains Acrophobic (1) who is a class above these but must carry a massive 61 kilograms. I think the mile is right up his alley and the blinkers go back on for this race. Christian Reith will ride him here. I think that with any luck he should win this.

The new runner on the scene is Remus (10) who is only lightly raced and has won his past two starts on heavy tracks. He is trained by Jarrod Austin and Shaun Guymer has ridden him to his past two victories. With a 6 kilogram turnaround on the favourite, if he runs up to his last victory at Hawkesbury over the mile, he will be very hard to hold out.

Tamilaide (7) is trained on the Gold Coast by Les Kelly and will be ridden by Ben Thompson. The stable has always had a high opinion of this runner. He is fourth up this preparation and does thrive on wet tracks. He will need the speed on in the race as he does get back and will be working home late – that is my concern. if they are not making ground, he may find the task too difficult.

Oakfield Prince (1) from the Damien Lane stables won last start at Taree over the mile on a heavy track leading all the way and giving the opposition a towelling. He looks our likely leader on paper and will be in this race for a long way – Darryl McLellan will ride him again. If there is any advantage shown by leading and winning, you may wish to swap to this runner.

The Grafton Guineas Prelude race was run and won by locally trained Swanston (6) who got all the favours in running and defeated Oakfield Arrow (9) – they both remain in contention and should not be overlooked.

Selections:

1 – Acrophobic
4 – Oakfield Prince
10 – Remus
7 – Tamilaide
Rough chances – (6) Swantson & (9) Oakfield Arrow

Race 7 2021 GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB RAMORNIE

One of the feature races of the Carnival – the 2021 RAMORNIE.

A wonderful field has been assembled this year.

I think the Brisbane Winter Carnival form is the way to go here.

I keep coming back to the runs of Blazing Miss (7) in all her runs – the only failure was at Eagle Farm – and some horses just do not let down there. Her other runs have been amazing. Trained by Mark Newnham and again to be ridden by Michael Cahill she looks a great chance at $19 for mine. She has drawn perfectly in barrier 3 to just sit in behind the speed and she will race handy. She thrives on wet tracks as well. Last start in the Gai Waterhouse she was storming home and had no room late – she wins the race for mine if she was not held up at a vital point. If she had won that race, she would not be the silly odds on offer here. She meets Outback Barbie (3) 1.5 kilograms better at the weights as well for a defeat in the Bright Shadow (Listed) back in May at Doomben.

Outback Barbie (3) – well what can you say – the statistics line up here for mine. Trained by QLD premier trainer Tony Gollan, she will be ridden by the QLD’s princess of racing Stephanie Thornton. Can they combine to give Stephanie her first ever RAMORNIE winner? Look the facts do not lie – she has never been out of the money in every Listed race appearance in her career – that’s six starts for four wins and two placings. She goes better for mine at 1200 metres and the soft track will not bother her. She went around in the Group 1 Stradbroke last start and really was not disgraced. A three week freshen up for this race – she will be in the placings for sure and certain.

Phobetor (9), trained by Michael Costa on the Gold Coast, has been heavily supported to win this race since the markets have opened. Jag Guthmann Chester will ride her again. Jag won on her at her last win at Doomben when she resumed for what was a striking effort. Three weeks off between and now second up over 1200 metres - looks well placed. She is undefeated on slow tracks – three starts for three wins. There is plenty to like about this runner.

Boomtown Lass (6) – you all know I bagged her last start at Ipswich – well I hate to say I was right. But this race is a different proposition – she gets a big track – she will race handy – she is third up – trained by Chris Anderson and has the services of Jake Bayliss. She does not mind wet surfaces and Jake will ensure she keeps her mind on the job when the whips are cracking in that final 100 metres of the race. I can see her getting a nice run-in transit and looking the winner at some stage in the straight – she may even win the race – there you go – for all you owners and my little mate James Goves – she can win!

Southern Lad (5) got no luck in this race in 2020 – fast forward 12 months and his recent effort in the Listed Hinkler have been franked with the win of Away Game who he beat home in that race. He will thrive on a wet surface – Christian Reith aboard and trained by John O’Shea – these two could win both feature races on the program with any luck.

Fender (12) is trained by Brett Cavanough and has the winkers going on for this race – keep him safe with local rider Ben Looker looking to ride his first ever Ramornie winner.

It is a superb race in 2021 – worthy of Group 3 status in my opinion!

Selections:

7 – Blazing Miss
3 – Outback Barbie
9 – Phobetor
6 – Boomtown Lass
Rough chances – (5) Southern Lad & (12) Fender

Race 8

A tough way to finish off the day over 1400 metres with a race sponsored by Grafton Taxis who will be working hard with all the patrons enjoying some beverages over the Carnival across the Grafton town.

I would hope you are in front prior to the running of this race!

La Cronica (11) is trained by Shannon Manwarring and will be ridden by Ben Looker. Her only career win has been at this track and distance – I think that she put the writing on the wall last time out here over 1200 metres. Has had three weeks between runs and looks a safe way home. The only issue is that this runner does race midfield normally – she may need to go forward a little if there is any track bias.

Pipe Dreams (5) resumed for the new stable and put on a great display of front running at Kempsey last time out holding off all the opposition. Trained by Graham Payne – he has elected to go for a new apprentice in Courtney Bellamy to ride this runner and claim her 4 kilograms which gets her in well at the weights. She may have to work a little to get across from barrier 13 – but she does look a genuine contender here.

Palaszczuk (8) is nominated for a race on Thursday as well – will be competitive in either race. Michael Costa trains this runner and Andrew Mallyon will ride. Will race on the speed if here – just pay attention to what race they accept in.

Volfoni (9) won at huge odds here last time out. Made ground on a day where they were not really winning from behind so that makes the win even more impressive. Stepping up in distance and Leah Kilner to ride for Greg Kilner – why not keep it in the family and win the last race?

Colt Prosser trains Prince of Troy (12) and Kirk Matheson has the ride. Does race on the speed normally and should be kept safe for mine.

Sailing (13) is third up here and must be considered with Ben Thompson riding for Stephen Lee Racing.

Selections:

11 – La Cronica
5 – Pipe Dreams
8 – Palaszczuk
9 – Volfoni
Rough chance – (12) Prince of Troy & (13) Sailing
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Jockey’s Challenge

An open affair today – Michael Cahill – Aaron Bullock – Stephanie Thornton and even Andrew Gibbons all having good chances. I may have a little something on Andrew Gibbons.

Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

2,6,8 / 2,6,8 / 5,6,16 / 5,12,14 - cost is $81 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

2,8 / 2,8 / 6,16 / 5,12,14 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

3,4,11 / 1,4,7,10 / 3,5,6,7,9 / 5,8,9,11,12 - cost is $300 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

4,11 / 1,4,10 / 3,7,9 / 5,8,9,11 - cost is $72 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

1,4,7,10 / 3,5,6,7,9 / 5,8,9,11,12 - cost is $100 to $1

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