The Grafton Cup Carnival continues at the Clarence River Jockey Club on Wednesday with another exciting edition of Ramornie Handicap Day.
The rail will remain in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (7) range.
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Race 1 – 12:29PM – Winning Edge Presentations Class 2 Showcase Handicap, (1600m)
Divine Eleven looks well placed to strike in the first on Ramornie Handicap Day.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding has been a good horse for the Matt Dunn stable for several seasons now and returned this time with an impressive effort to score in Class 1 company at Doomben.
I’m confident that run will have brought him right on and he can fight out the finish again.
Race 2 – 1:04PM – CPSU NSW Wager Growth Rural Class 6 Plate, (2200m)
This looms as a very winnable race for Onemore Sapphire.
Onemore Sapphire has been a strong and consistent performer this preparation and beat home a decent Class 4 field at Newcastle in April.
He hasn’t run a poor race in the wake, placing at each of his last three including two in metro company.
He’s rock-hard fit and something like this is well and truly within his abilities.
Race 3 – 1:39pm – Good Intent Hotel Country Showcase Maiden Plate, (1000m)
Schiller Baby hasn’t been seen at the races since January, but he was unlucky not to score during his debut prep and can make a winning return on Ramornie Handicap Day.
The Artie Schiller gelding raced greenly on debut at Coffs Harbour, but was far better at his two subsequent appearances and finished second in each.
He’s had the benefit of a lovely trial in the lead-up to his return and will take beating.
Race 4 – 2:14pm – Mark Bloomer Transport Class 2 Handicap, (1100m)
He has been charged with carrying topweight, but I think Phoenix River will still take plenty of beating on Ramornie Day.
The So You Think gelding has been a consistent performer through four starts without winning this time, and he closed well from the tail of the field to only miss at Doomben last time.
He can settle a little closer this week from barrier 5 and he’ll be hard to hold out.
Race 5 – 2:49pm – Byron Bay Premium Lager Handicap, (1100m)
This looms as one of the more open races on the card and a mare like Runsis has claims on winning.
The former Corstens galloper has had two starts since transferring to the care of Gold Coast horseman Chris Zintilis, finishing fourth at Ballina when fresh and closing well to finish midfield at Eagle Farm last time.
Fitter third-up and dropping back to country company, she can strike.
Race 6 – 3:24pm – Grafton Guineas, (1600m)
It’s always a good race and the Grafton Guineas has drawn another talented field to the Clarence River Jockey Club on Wednesday, including Tamilaide.
Tamilaide has enjoyed a glittering start to his racing career, recording two wins and three minors from his five starts.
Having returned to the races for a lovely win in Class 2 company on the Gold Coast, the Adelaide gelding has since finished third and second respectively in BM70 races at Doomben.
He was supposed to contest the Winx Guineas on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, for which he was a clear market mover before the race was abandoned, and this is a far softer target.
Race 7 – 3:59pm – Listed Ramornie Handicap, (1200m)
This is set to be an outstanding edition of the Ramornie Handicap and at publish, we’re faced with $6 the field.
With a genuine case to be made for many, I’m going to have something on three horses; Fender, Snitz and Tactical Advantage.
Fender has returned several pleasing efforts this prep and has been targeted at this race.
Snitz has mixed his form this time, but a repeat of his effort to finish second in the Takeover Target Stakes two back would see him into the finish of this race.
Tactical Advantage clearly needed the run when he finished ninth at Randwick when resuming in May, but he has since been freshened and remains one of the classier runners in the Ramornie Handicap field – I’d hate to miss the $51 (available at publish) if he finds his best.
Race 8 – 4:34pm – Grafton Taxis BM58 Handicap, (1400m)
Condover Hall will take winning form into the last on Ramornie Handicap Day and can make it two in a row.
The six-year-old son of Mastercraftsman has been up and racing for a while, but he has continued to produce quality performances in races similar to this one and proved too good in BM58 company at Taree last time out.