WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON - RAMORNIE DAY

By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, July 12, 2022

The GRAFTON Racing Carnival continues – feature race today is the time honoured GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB RAMORNIE HANDICAP.

The track is rated “SLOW”. The rail is in the TRUE position.

There was an on-speed track bias on Sunday – I think we may see it again here for this meeting, so you will need to be handy in the running for mine.

Then after this huge day we are heading off to watch NSW destroy QLD in State of Origin.

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

Race 1

We start the day off with a distance race over 2200 metres.

Jason Collett makes his way to Grafton to ride the Kris Lees trained Our Candidate (5). On his recent NSW runs he looks the one to beat here.

Olympic Class (4) went around in the Grafton Cup Prelude last Tuesday. Luke Dittman will ride again. He will race handy and could test the favourite.

Ambitious Prince (1) could be our leader – could just roll along and prove hard to run down late.

Selections:

5 – Our Candidate
4 – Olympic Class
1 – Ambitious Prince
8 – El Lago

Race 2

A maiden over 1000 metres. Keep your eye on the market late to see if they come for one here.

I am going away from the favourite and going for some runners with some runs under their belt.

Moskeeta (8) is trained by Cathleen Rode and has had two solid efforts at Coffs Harbour. Both times she has settled back and made ground late. I think that she has been hindered by the tight turning Coffs track and may benefit from this long straight here at Grafton. She has drawn well in barrier 6 and Ash Morgan will ride.

Falreine (6) has drawn wide for trainer Neil Osbourne and Andrew Gibbons will need some luck to make sure she is not left out wide from the draw. She has raced at handy in all her recent starts and I think if she can get in from the wide barrier she will be on the pace and could run them ragged late.

The favourite is Wakatipu (12) from the Brett Cavanough stable and will be ridden by Jason Collett. These two have a lethal relationship when they combine. She is ideally drawn in barrier 3 and should just ping the gates and sit in behind the speed she has had a recent barrier trial as well which would suggest that she is primed ready to win this race. She is the short-priced favourite and does deserve that tag however just going a bit wider as you stop here on a wet track.

Trainer Sally Taylor has two rough chances here that should be respected. Both are first up and both are not without a rough chance – Maxwell Terrace (3) and Cuisenaire (15).

Selections:

8 – Moskeeta
6 - Falreine
12 – Wakatipu
15 – Cuisenaire
Rough chance – (3) Maxwell Terrace

Race 3

Class 2 over 1100 metres – a massive field assembled.

Oakfield Duke (3) has won his past two starts and looks impressive. He comes to Grafton looking to post a hat trick of wins on this track. Trained by Kristen Buchanan, he will ridden by Aaron Bullock I see no reason to go against him. He should race only three or four pairs back in the running and that should be close enough to see him storm over them late to get the chocolates.

Brett Cavanough has a nice one here in Just Strolling (2). Placed at Scone last time out in Class 3 where he ran into a smart one. Jason Collett to ride. Looks well placed here.

There are roughies here that could upset these more favoured runners. The first of them is Wizard of Oz (14) who has drawn the rails and is a last start winner at Port Macquarie. He always races handy in his races and could prove the one to beat down in the weights. He has had a previous look at the Grafton circuit and raced well running a gallant second, I think that he should be respected.

Gold Card (12), trained by Grafton Cup winning jockey now trainer Peter Graham, is resuming here from a spell after a solid barrier trial at his home track. I think I could have found a placing for him only that he drew barrier 14 here. Rachel King will ride.

Our Fox (10) is drawn handy and given any luck could find a place.

Selections:

3 – Oakfield Duke
2 – Just Strolling
14 – Wizard of Oz
12 – Gold Card
Rough chance – (10) Our Fox

Race 4

Another Class 2 over 1100 metres.

This filly – Le Melody (2) from the Cody Morgan's stable - looks a very impressive type. She has won both her starts in dominant fashion in sensational times, both times destroying the opposition easily over 1000 metres. If she can find the extra 100 metres required to win this race, she looks unbeatable for mine and the others will be just fighting out for the placings. Aaron Bullock will ride her again after winning aboard her last time at Tamworth.

Airstrike (4) could launch an attack on this short-priced favourite in an attempt to beat her. Ben Looker will ride this filly who is second up for the new stable. I think you can overlook her last start effort at Coffs Harbour where she just did not seem to get into the race. I think on the Grafton circuit you will see the best of her. she is rude odds currently at $19 and I expect her to run a bold race.

Your Too Good (1) ran a good race last time out at Murwillumbah, however, she is struggling with these huge weights, and this would be a disadvantage. Apprentice Jasper Franklin will take a claim to assist her, but she faces a stiff task here.

I think they will find it extremely hard to beat this favourite. She looks a nice type.

Selections:

2 – Le Melody
4 – Airstrike
1 – Your Too Good
3 – Licciardi

Race 5

Class 2 over the mile. Again, keep your eye on the markets for any moves.

First leg of the Quaddie.

Princess Sparkles (6) looks like it maybe her time to shine here for Gold Coast trainer Marcus Wilson. Will be ridden by Jason Collett. I think she has been crying out from the mile, however I am a bit little bit concerned that she races back in the field especially if the track has a leader’s bias. I just hope that Collett will take her forward and she settles nicely and then can finish off the race strong – she is around $8.

The early market favourite is Contreras (2) who is trained by David Scanes and will be ridden by Grafton Cup winning jockey (a few years ago) Paul Hammersley. The gelding has won both his last two starts over 1800 meters and that places him nicely here for the 1600 meters which could be run in some trying conditions. He has a habit of racing midfield and that will suit any track bias that may occur.

Geostorm (5) looks the leader. Is trained by Jeff Dunn and Robbie Fradd will ride – he is in great form after a successful journey to the Rockhampton Carnival last weekend. Did win over the mile last time out at Murwillumbah.

Anazone (9) is around $41 and I give the mare a genuine chance. Ran over 2230 in the Grafton Cup Prelude last week and never stayed the distance. She has been up a while, however, she loves the mile and could show up here at odds.

Selections:

6 – Princess Sparkles
2 – Contreras
5 – Geostorm
9 – Anazone
Rough chance – (1) Diasonic & (7) Sir Gunsen

Race 6 TURSA GRAFTON GUINEAS

Quality race over 1600 metres. Always a race seriously contested. First leg of the treble.

This is an open field.

Let me start with the David Vandyke trained Whitewater (2) who went around in the Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast last time out. The run was good despite him having to struggle on a heavy surface which is not his go. Vandyke is a very astute trainer who would not back this gelding up unless he has thrived since that run. Brad Pengelly will ride him here and despite the huge weight he must be seriously considered.

Unforgiven (12) is trained by Damian Lane who has a habit of winning races over the Grafton Carnival. When his horses come to Grafton they are very well backed and normally get the chocolates, so keep an eye on the market to see if they come for this runner. Robbie Fradd will ride the gelding for the first time. I must respect this runner as he led all the way last time out at Newcastle and got the job done in an impressive fashion. He gets in this race with no weight, and he could just bowl along in front and keep the others off the bit and win this prestigious race.

Rodney Northam trains a lightly raced filly called Bootscooter (9). She has been racing in Sydney in the Saturday meetings in the Highway Handicaps. She has been racing consistently in all her starts culminating in a win last time out over 1400 meters. I think that the mile will be suited for her here and I expect her to win the race. I note that Andrew Adkins has been booked to ride her - he was once a local Grafton jockey, and it would be wonderful to see him win a feature race over the Carnival.

Aramis (6) won his last start over the mile at Gosford in Class 1 grade. That win suggest that he will be extremely competitive here. He is trained by Mark Newnham who must have an opinion of him to bring him to this race. Tom Sherry has ridden him for four starts posting two wins and two placings.

Awe (11) Is a runner I give a rough chance to on his recent form and should not be overlooked.

Selections:

9 – Bootscooter
12 - Unforgiven
2 – Whitewater
6 – Aramis
Rough chance – (11) Awe

Race 7 GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB – THE RAMORNIE

The feature sprint race of the Carnival over 1200 metres. There have been some wonderful horses that have won this over its history.

Okay let’s start with most Ramornie’s are run with some speed. There is always something that goes fast.

If they cart them along early, I think the Snowden Racing pair are the two to be on as they should get a nice cart into the race – Ranges (7) and King Of Sparta (8). Both come out of the Brisbane Carnival.

Ranges (7) stepped up to Group 3 level last time out in the WJ Healy Stakes. He probably is best suited at this level and looks well placed. Tommy Sherry will have his chance to win his first Grafton feature race on this sprinter. His run in the Healy was good enough to suggest that he will be right in this race when the whips are cracking.

King Of Sparta (8) resumed and was sent out favourite in the Healy and seemed to race as if he needed the hit out. You go back to his scintillating win second up in the Magic Millions Guineas back in January he does look the one to beat. Jason Collett has been booked to ride. He will truck into the race and should be difficult to beat.

Holyfield (2) will probably lead them and his last start effort at the Sunshine Coast over 1400 metres I think should be safely overlooked. He resented the heavy track, and the 1400 metres may have been too far. Back to a distance and a surface he should thrive on he looks a nice ride for Brodie Loy. He has a superb strike rate on the gelding – 5 rides for 3 wins. He is silly odds as well - $17 in some markets.

Prime Candidate (5), from the Bjorn Baker stables, must come into consideration as well. Will jump and go forward from barrier 13 with Brock Ryan to ride. This runner held on for second in the Healy (Group 3) in a good effort. He comes here after a freshen up. He is certain to make his presence felt if there is any track bias.

Then we get into the swoopers – IF they are making ground, you must respect the David Vandyke trained Desert Lord (3) who will love this long Grafton straight and will be thundering home out wide late. He has been scratched in recent weeks in QLD due to heavy tracks and will come here at his prime to perform. He gets a long straight and a soft track – all will assist him in getting the feature race trophy and taking it home to QLD – they may not win much else as NSW should dispose of QLD later Wednesday night in State of Origin! Brad Pengelly will ride him here.

Hard Empire (4) from the Edmonds Racing team at the Gold Coast knows what it takes to win a Ramornie. They have this 8-year-old gelding primed to race at his peak first up after two solid barrier trials which he won. He has an impeccable first up record and on his best form will demolish this field. However, he does get back in these races and he will need a lot of luck if there is any track bias in the race – Robbie Fradd will ride him.

I found a genuine rough chance here at around $51 – trained by Owen Glue and will be ridden by Brooke Stower – At Witz End (15). The gelding is second up here at a track where he has multiple wins and really enjoys racing on this circuit. He went around in the Ipswich Eyeliner first up and really did not seem to get into the race on a track that was heavy and did not really suit him. He has an impeccable second up record and I expect him to run a bold race here at huge odds. He could be the one that sees the bookmakers cheering.

Freddie Fox Trot (11) has a rough chance – he may race handy and could cause and upset as well – Luke Rolls will ride.

Selections:

7 – Ranges
3 – Desert Lord
8 – King of Sparta
2 – Holyfield
Rough chance – (5) Prime Candidate, (15) At Witz End and (4) Hard Empire

Race 8

The last race of the day over 1400 metres – a tough race to be honest at BM58 level.

Rupertson (9) is another chance from the Bjorn Baker Racing team with Rachel King to ride. He is a lightly raced three-year-old – has a senior jockey on this start and I expect a bold showing over a distance it looks like he has been working towards. He will race handy near the lead and should finish the race off.

Imatruestar (16) has made the field with some early scratchings. Has won on this track and I think needed the hit out first up at Randwick in a Class 2 Highway – back to a track that he loves I expect a bold showing. No jockey declared yet – he has a massive 63.5 kilograms.

Kapsali (6) is trained locally by Brett Dodson and is undefeated at this track and distance. Apprentice Jasper Franklin will ride – his 2-kilogram claim will be beneficial. He is first up – but he has had a recent barrier trial where he looked solid to run a bold race.

Think High (2) from the Matthew Dunn Racing yards has Matt McGuren aboard. Is third up at a distance where he is proven – keep safe.

Too Much Heaven (14) is trained by Donna Grisedale and will be ridden by her husband Jon. He got too far back last start at Coffs Harbour before unleashing a huge run to finish close to the winner. He will enjoy the longer straight and the firmer surface and at $41 could upset these more favoured runners.

That is, it for Wednesday – but the action doesn’t stop. Next it will be onto Thursday and the 2022 GRAFTON CUP!

Selections:

9 – Rupertson
16 – Imatruestar
6 – Kapsali
2 – Think High
Rough chances – (14) Too Much Heaven
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Jockeys Challenge

There are many that have chances here. Jason Collett, Robbie Fradd and Aaron Bullock. I will stay with Jason!

Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

4,5 / 6,8,12 / 2,3,14 / 1,2,4 - cost is $54 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

5 / 6,8,12 / 2,3,14 /2,4 - cost is $18 to $1

Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

2,5,6,9 / 2,6,9,12 / 2,3,7,8,15 / 2,6,9,14,16 - cost is $400 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

3,9,13 / 3,4,11 / 11,12 / 6,9,16 - cost is $54 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

2,6,9,12 / 2,3,7,8,15 / 2,6,9,14,16 - cost is $100 to $1

BIG 6 (races 3 to 8 NSW only)

2,3,14 / 2 / 2,5,6 / 2,9,12 / 3,7,8 /6,9,16 - cost is $243 to $1

Finally GO NSW in State of Origin Wednesday night. Oh yes – and please stop messaging you whining – sooky QLDers – you have COVID – front up and have a go!

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