WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON JULY 17 - RAMORNIE DAY

By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, July 16, 2024

WINNO iwill be at GRAFTON for the third day of the 2024 GRAFTON CARNIVAL. It is the traditional GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB RAMONIE 2024. The track is rated ‘Soft’. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.

In the past few meetings horses who led or raced on the speed had a definitive advantage – so keep your eye on this trend early in the program.

This day is always a special day – the 2024 RAMORNIE field is exceptional.

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

A 2200 metre, Class 6 race to start us off – a small field.

Matthew Dunn finished off the South Grafton Cup Day winning both the feature and then the last race. Can he continue here with Holstein (2)? Will be ridden by Matthew McGuren. Posted a win two starts ago at Canterbury over 1900 metres and then stepped up to weekend grade over 1800 metres on a heavy track. He resented the surface – overlook that run and look for improvement here.

Mindspace (6) ran second in the Grafton Cup Prelude. Made good ground late, however, the winner had stolen a large winning margin. Mindspace will be better for that run and on a firmer surface I think he should be in the finish. Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride for Sally Taylor who can train a stayer – she won the Grafton Cup in 2016 with Rednav.

Sheriff Cody (3) is trained by Owen Glue. They rode him handy in the Grafton Cup Prelude – however, on the wet track he peaked late and ran a solid fourth – Ashley Moran will ride.

Gulf Of Tomini (1) is trained by Kirsten Buchanan. Will be thereabouts as well – Taylor Marshall will ride.

Selections:

2 – Holstein
6 – Mindspace
3 – Sheriff Cody
1 – Gulf Of Tomini

Race 2

This is a race over 1000 metres – maiden class – a large field.

Matthew Dunn trains Superstitious (5) who won a recent barrier trial. He makes his debut here for the new stable after leaving the Gerald Ryan & Alexiou yards. The trial would suggest that he is ready for a bold showing – they are betting $1.60 now. Ashley Morgan takes the ride.

Brisket (7) is trained on the track by the wily John Shelton and Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride. The winkers go on here for the first time. She is third up for the new stable. She was terribly unlucky at her last start over 1010 metres on a heavy track at Ballina. She drove through late to lead the field and was swamped in the final 20 metres going down by a short margin. She will be fitter for that effort and should run a bold race on her home track.

Barron (1) is trained by Sharon Pepper and Danny Peisley will be back in the saddle of this gelding. He raced over 1200 metres at his last start at Murwillumbah on a good track. He has finished second in his past three starts – he is due for a change of luck. He normally races midfield – however, has a very good, solid sprint.

Jumbled (12) is trained on the track by Tony Newing. She is only a 2-year-old and on debut here a few weeks ago she ran a very good third after leading. She will be better for that run – Matthew McGuren will ride.

Selections:

5 – Superstitious
7 – Brisket
1 – Barron
12 – Jumbled

Race 3

A maiden class race over 1700 metres with some nice prize money on offer.

State of Origin night and we have a battle between NSW trainer Kris Lees and QLD trainer Billy Healey. You all know which way I will go!

For that reason, I am putting Lost Illusions (10) on top from the Kris Lees Racing yards. She was second up at Scone over a mile on a heavy track. She missed the start and then had to make up ground and ran a gallant third. I think there is plenty of improvement to be taken from that run and the extra distance should suit her. Andrew Gibbons will ride.

Billy Healey is probably happy that I didn't tip his filly in this race. He thinks that WINNO is a mock and so he will be betting up on her to win the race. She made up ground last time out in the straight at Eagle Farm over the mile on the heavy track and she kept on finding something late and narrowly missed. Based on that run she will appreciate the extra distance and the lightweight – Robbie Dolan will ride. Seriously – good luck Billy!

GO NSW!

Wee Kahuna (7) will be ridden by Ben Looker for Aiden Vincent. He has been up a while this preparation. His last start was over 1725 metres - he had no luck in the straight when he was making a late sprint to win the race. On that effort he must be considered.

Dulverton Charm (2) is trained by Peter Robl with Jai Williams to ride. His last start effort over a mile at Beaudesert was solid. He did hit the front late and was rundown in the shadows of the post.

Matthew Dunn Racing has another solid runner here with More Elements (5). Was caught three wide throughout the trip last time out and has drawn well in barrier one - senior jockey goes on as well look for a vast improvement – Ashley Morgan will ride.

Selections:

10 – Lost Illusions
11 – Miss Dynamo
7 – Wee Kahuna
2 – Dulverton Charm
Rough chances – (5) More Elements & (12) Shine Like It Does

Race 4

Tough way to end the early Quaddie with a Class 2 over 1100 metres.

Matthew Dunn Racing has several runners here – they are all not without an each-way ticket.

I like the Brett Dodson runner My Mum’s Toyboy (7) who has won a recent barrier trial at Ballina. He normally races on the speed – just some slight concern with barrier 12. Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride him here after winning on him in the barrier trial.

Town Crier is trained by the Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted in Brisbane. He is a last start winner at Dalby on a good track – I am not too certain that this runner likes wet tracks. He does have to contend with 61 kilograms. Boris Thornton is coming down to ride him.

Field Of Myrtle (5) is probably the best of the Matthew Dunn runners. She makes her first start for the stable. Her runs around Goulburn have been good. She races on the speed and has drawn well in barrier 2. Angela Jones will be looking to beat her partner Kyle here.

Single Attraction (12) resumed winning a Class 1 at Gundagai for Joe Cleary. The stable can get a winner over this Carnival so keep safe at $16 each way. Jeff Penza will ride her here. She did settle in behind the speed before letting down late and destroying the opposition by 3.5 lengths.

You may have to play wide here for your exotics. It is a difficult race.

Selections:

7 – My Mum’s Toyboy
1 – Town Crier
12 – Single Attraction
5 – Field Of Myrtle
Rough chances – (8) The Lion’s Gate (14) Guru Class

Race 5

First leg of the Quaddie. Class 2 over 1600 metres.

Edward O’Rourke trains Twin Turbo (3) with Zac Lloyd making a return to Grafton to ride. This runner was run down late in a race over a mile at Hawkesbury. I think the form of this race is solid with two of the runners already going on to win races subsequently. That run was second up, and he led them and was a sitting duck late. Lloyd will probably race in behind the speed and then expose him late. A solid chance for mine at around $4.60.

The top weight is an overseas horse having his third start in Australia for Kris Lees. Apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald will claim 2 kilograms. He was good last start over the mile – I still think he may be looking for further – but in this grade he should be prominent.

Gallic Fox (4) won first up at Newcastle over 1400 metres on a heavy track. Trained by Terry Croft and Robbie Dolan will ride. He went to the line with plenty in reserve – he may just go on with it here and is silly odds at $11.

Externus (5) is a Damien Lane runner with Ben Looker to ride. Was a month between runs when he led at Wyong and got run down late. With that run under his belt, he will be right in this.

Better Yet (7) raced at the tight turning Kilcoy track last time – will be better on a bigger track – a rough chance.

Selections:

3 – Twin Turbo
1 – Barazin
4 – Gallic Fox
5 – Externus
Rough chance – (7) Better Yet

Race 6 TURSA GRAFTON GUINEAS 2024

The first leg of the treble. A race over the 1600 metres. This is always a great support race to our feature event.

Greg Hickman brings Tiger Town (3) to Grafton after a month freshening up. Last start raced at Rosehill over 1400 metres on a heavy track – had no luck - struck interference. The heavy track was not to his liking. His previous start he won over the mile at Warwick Farm. He gets a better track here – he gets Zac Lloyd to ride, and he should be placed three pairs back in the running – each way all day for mine at $9.

Toes In The Water (5) is the danger. Nick Olive trains this filly. She is looking for a hat trick of wins after a dominant win at Rosehill last time out over 1500 metres on a heavy track. Apprentice rider Coriah Keatings will retain the ride. Toes In The Water has been thriving on the bog tracks – this will be a little firmer – but in saying that her times and the way she strikes the line suggests that she is up for this challenge. Again, silly odds are on offer for mine at $6.

Soul Lady (7) is trained by Joe Cleary. This filly finished seventh – only beaten 3.3 lengths in the race won by Toes In The Water (5) at Rosehill. She drew terribly on that occasion, and she raced three wide no cover. I think that there will be a marked improvement noted on this firmer track – keep safe at $10. Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride.

Pluckten (2) is trained by Damien Lane and Angela Jones will ride. He is on the short back up of only six days after winning at Hawkesbury last Thursday. That was over 1500 metres and a heavy track. It was a bold effort – keep safe here at nice odds.

Impendor (9), trained by Matthew Dunn, has been racing as if he is looking for the mile – Robbie Dolan to ride.

The topweight Chevron (1) is trained by Kirsten Buchanan and Taylor Marshall will ride. Has been performing admirably on bog tracks – but he is an absolute duffer on them. Back to a firmer track we may see an improvement.

Selections:

3 – Tiger Town
5 – Toes In The Water
7 – Soul Lady
2 – Pluckten
Rough chance – (9) Impendor & (1) Chevron

Race 7 2023 GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB (GDSC) RAMORNIE 2024

The second last race and the feature race of Day 3.

The history in recent times would suggest that Peter & Paul Snowden have an amazing strike rate in this race. They have won it 5 times since 2010. They are well represented this year with three runners – Tashi (4), Ka Bling (8) and Lavish Empire (13). They all have great chances.

But ...

I think you could not have missed the last start effort of James Cummings / Godolphin trained Pereille (3) in the Listed Hinkler over 1200 metres. He just caught behind a wall of runners and the poor jock had nowhere to go. Basically, had to stand up in the irons whilst the horse was bolting until he finally found a gap and then surged to the line to get beaten narrowly. It was a horrific watch. When he did get out, he still ran the best 200 metres sectionals in the race. He has since had a barrier trial at Hawkesbury – a solid hit out. Zac Lloyd will have him placed a few pairs back from barrier 9 with some speed in the race. I think he gets the job done here and we see Godolphin win their first Ramornie since 2011 when Jerzana saluted with Andrew Gibbons riding. Ironically, Peter Snowden trained Jerzana (2011) and Pinwheel (2010) for Darley at the time.

I think the best of the Snowden runners is Tashi (4) with Mitchell Bell to ride. She has seven weeks between runs before racing at Eagle Farm in the W. J. Healy Stakes (Group 3). This has always been a great lead up race – with previous winners coming out of this race and dominating in the Ramornie. She drew wide in that race, and they were forced to go back. She raced wide throughout and then worked home late to run the best 600 metre sectionals of the race.

The stable mate is Lavish Empire (13) who has been nominated and scratched in several races over the past few weeks. This has been due to the track conditions. He has had no luck at the barrier draw getting barrier 17. He has a habit of sprinting well fresh. He was first up into the Archer at Rockhampton when he produced a huge effort to run a gallant second on a track where leaders had all the favours. He has since won a barrier trial at Randwick. There is no better jockey for this four-year-old gelding than Kyle Wilson Taylor who has been in good form in recent weeks.

Bezique (7) trained by Tony Gollan looks the likely leader in the race. She will be ridden by Angela Jones. She has been extremely consistent in the past three starts running second on every occasion so she definitely deserves a change of luck. Last start at Ipswich in the Gai Waterhouse Classic she led the field throughout and looked like she was going to win a Black Type race when the stablemate flew down the outside and pipped her on the post. She is drawn ok for this feature race - she always jumps clean and will be first across the field and onto the fence. She may just get away with this race as the others may leave her alone in front and she might get away with some cheap sectionals and set the race up so that nothing can come from behind late.

There is a real roughie here that I want to be on if he makes the field – Richon (19) who is an emergency for the field. He is trained by Peter Robl and will be written by Jai Williams. This horse is above average and do not underestimate him if he makes the field. He could lead the field, however, he may choose to sit behind the likely leader Bezique (7). Either way with the light weight he really could cause an upset. He resumed at Doomben over 1110 metres and slayed the field. I have always had an opinion of this gelding – and second up if he makes the field could be right in the race at $51.

With Your Blessing (18) is another emergency runner who is not without a genuine each way chance if he is able to make the field.

Selections:

3 – Pereille
7 – Bezique
4 – Tashi
13 – Lavish Empire
Rough chances – (19) Richon & (18) With Your Blessing

Race 8

The last race of this big day of racing. BM58 over 1400 metres.

Sponsored by Grafton Taxis – these always get a flogging over the Carnival with the revellers who have a bit to drink and then do the right thing and do not drive.

Another large field to face the starter. I will not be betting in this race – just praying for a bit of luck for my Quaddie and Treble bets.

Miss Thatcher (4) comes out of a Sydney Rosehill Saturday race on a heavy track where she didn't really fire. She is trained by Lucy Longmire and will be ridden by apprentice Jack Baker who claims 3 kilograms off the huge weight. Her previous starts at provincial courses were quite good and were all in this grade – keep safe.

Allay (5) is trained by Brett Cavanaugh and will be ridden by Ashley Morgan. She has drawn terribly in barrier 19 and will need a lot of luck from out there. In saying that her last run at Dubbo was quite good on a heavy track over 1300 metres. She drifted back in the running and made ground late. They will need to be closer on this track to have any chance in the race.

Winter’s Promise (13) is trained by Matthew Dunn and Ben Looker will ride. The filly comes off a maiden win over 1550 metres at Murwillumbah last start on a heavy track. She raced on speed on that occasion and got the job done in solid fashion. With that run under the belt and finding the winning post for the first time she just could go on with it here over the shorter distance.

Frappes (8) is trained by Jason Reilly and apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald will ride. He races well on this track. Led them up last start in a BM50 grade race where he carried 63.5 kilograms and he tired late. I think he is better placed here. Look for a bold showing.

Hardley Grey (15) is trained by Owen Glue and Danny Peisley will be looking for another win over the Carnival. He ran on the Gold Coast poly track last time out – just forget that run. He previously raced well at Murwillumbah over 1550 metres. One for your exotics!

Selections:

4 – Miss Thatcher
13 – Winter’s Promise
5 – Allay
8 – Frappes
Rough chance – (15) Hardley Grey & (7) Sycamore
________________________________________________________________________

Jockey’s Challenge

Zac Lloyd, Kyle Wilson Taylor and Ashley Morgan to fight it our. I am going for Kyle to pip Ashley in a close battle.

Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

2,3,6 / 1,5,7 / 2,7,10,11 / 1,5,7,12 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

2,6 / 5 / 10,11 / 1,7,12 - cost is $12 to $1

Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

1,3,4,5 / 2,3,5,7 / 3,4,7,13 / 4,5,8,13,15 - cost is $320 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

1,3 / 3,5,7 / 3,7 / 4,13 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

1,2,3,12 / 1,2,8,11,13 / 6,8,9,12,17 - cost is $100 to $1

BIG 6 (races 3 to 8)

10,11 / 1,7,12 / 1,3 / 3,5,7 / 3,7 /4,13 - cost is $144 to $1

More articles