The Listed Ramornie Handicap headlines the program at Grafton on Wednesday as a capacity field of sprinters lineup with $200,000 on offer.
The Snowden’s are looking to win the race for the second year in a row with Poetic Charmer, while Garibaldi and the Michael Costa-trained Phobetor are both jostling for favouritism in the market.
With a case to be made for more than a few, be sure to read our thoughts on every runner in our 2021 Ramornie Handicap Preview!
Usmanov
Usmanov won the Listed Lightning Handicap two back at Eagle Farm and was far from disgraced out to 1200m when fifth in the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes a fortnight ago.
The Edmonds-trained five-year-old has found some form of late, but the fact he’s unplaced in five starts over this trip makes him worth nothing more than an each-way play.
Tactical Advantage
Tactical Advantage has been out of the winner’s stall for over a year and was no match first-up against similar company at Randwick.
He does have four wins under his belt over this trip, but this doesn’t look any easier based on recent form.
Outback Barbie
This is significant step back in class for Outback Barbie after failing to fire in both the Kingsford Smith Cup and the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm last month.
The Queenslander won a Listed race at Doomben over 1200m three runs back and has finished in the money in 11 of her 18 starts over this trip.
Kept fresh for the run, the Spirit of Boom mare looks capable of bouncing back in a much easier contest at a good price.
Snitz
Snitz is back for another crack at the Ramornie after finishing ninth in last year’s edition behind Signore Fox.
The son of Snitzel hasn’t won a race in over a year, but he did come close to defending his title in the Takeover Target two runs back at Gosford.
His latest effort at Randwick left a lot to be desired, but he is worth an each-way shout with two wins to his name at Grafton.
Southern Lad
Southern Lad has raced well this prep and looks up to winning a race of this quality.
The son of Ocean Park finished a clear second to Superium last time out in the Hinkler Handicap at Eagle Farm and has to be respected with four wins and eight placings to his name over 1200m.
Fitter for three runs back, John O’Shea’s six-year-old looks to be one of the major players.
Boomtown Lass
Boomtown Lass will line up for a second time in the Ramornie after finishing two lengths seventh to Signore Fox last year.
Chris Anderson’s mare has drawn a much kinder gate this time around and is worth forgiving on her effort two weeks ago at Ipswich where she was swallowed up by a wall of horses storming the line in the Gai Waterhouse Classic.
Her run prior in the Lightning when second to Wednesday’s rival Usmanov was full of merit however, while the fact she’s won twice previously over this trip makes her worth considering in multiples.
Blazing Miss
Blazing Miss was strong through the line last time out in the Gai Waterhouse Classic where she burst through along the rail to run a narrow third.
She hasn’t won since the spring, but the daughter of Sizzling is capable of improving on that effort and should be doing her best work late under Michael Cahill.
Chasing a maiden black-type win, the mare rates as one of the better value plays in the race.
Axe
Axe very rarely runs a bad race and tends to do his best work over 1200m.
The son of Written Tycoon gapped his rivals by over two lengths three runs back at Doomben before going on to place in both the BRC Sprint and the Eye Liner at Ipswich.
His best is certainly good enough and the fact he’s won three-from-five starts over this distance is a big tick.
Phobetor
Phobetor is having his second run back from a spell after resuming to win over a touch shorter at Doomben last month among easier company.
The five-year-old won at this track back in 2019 and could also have an advantage over some of his rivals with only one start to his name over the last 12 months.
Barrier 10 should see him tuck in just behind the speed, and with even luck, he’ll be fighting out the finish.
Poetic Charmer
Poetic Charmer has missed out on the money only twice in 14 starts over 1200m and has trialed well ahead of his return to the races.
The Snowden-trained five-year-old was last seen running fifth in the National Sprint down in Canberra and will likely settle somewhere towards the rear from the wide gate.
Garibaldi
Garibaldi is a very consistent type that measures up nicely in a race like this.
Tony Gollan’s four-year-old resumed to run second to Fender over this same trip at Eagle Farm earlier in May before going on to run fourth in the Group 3 BRC Sprint.
He won’t find this any tougher and is worth considering in exotics if Ben Thompson can save his best for late.
Fender
Fender rattled off back-to-back wins over 1200m at Doomben and Eagle Farm earlier in the year and was far from disgraced when fifth two back in the BRC Sprint.
He faded late to finish sixth two weeks ago in the Civic Stakes at Rosehill over further but should appreciate getting back in trip now.
Any rain about would help his chances.
Phantom Falcon
Phantom Falcon finally broke through for another win last month on the Gold Coast before failing to finish at Ipswich over 1200m last time out in a Class 6.
Will only find this tougher.
Peppi La Few
Peppi La Few strips fitter for his first-up run when second to Wednesday’s rival Phobetor at Doomben over a touch shorter.
The son of Pierro has returned a place in all five of his starts over this trip but looks outclassed rising to Listed level for the first time.
Beaufort Park
Beaufort Park is having his first run back after what was a fairly luckless summer up in Queensland.
He’s found the money in all three of his starts over 1200m but will likely find this tough based on recent form.
Oakfield Twilight
Oakfield Twilight has finished dead last in two starts since returning to work and will likely try and run the race on his own terms up on the speed. Cannot recommend.
Exclusive
Exclusive showed some improvement at Grafton two weeks ago when he flew home to run a very narrow second to Northern Knight in the John Carlton Cup.
He’s mixed his form over this distance previously though and will no doubt find this tougher.
Hellenism
Hellenism could be the value runner in the Ramornie should she earn a spot as the first emergency.
The lightly raced mare by Helmet has made 10 starts for four wins and five placings and is coming off an impressive win at Rosehill last week on the heavy track.
Any rain about would help her chances.
Zac Attack
Zac Attack has won twice at Grafton previously but would likely find this a tough ask rising in grade.
Ice In Vancouver
Ice In Vancouver is the third emergency and would need luck to go his way.
Ramornie Handicap Tips
Outback Barbie at $10.00
