The Grafton Racing Carnival continues this Wednesday with the running of the Listed Ramornie Handicap.
Eight races make up the program, and we’ve got you covered with our best bets below!
RACE 1 – 12:29PM AEST – Group 1 Horse Feeds Plate – Class 6 Showcase (2200 METRES)
Gulf Of Tomini is a talented stayer that has the runs on the board this prep.
The son of Not A Single Doubt has won twice from six starts, returning to Grafton a couple of weeks ago when running on late for a place along the rails.
His record over 2200m is solid and another dry track will be right up his alley.
Jumping from barrier 7, I think we’ll see him settle back in the run.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit Gulf Of Tomini
RACE 2 – 1:04PM AEST – Crown Hotel Motel Country Boosted Showcase Maiden Plate (1000 METRES)
Belvedere Boys is on debut for Matthew Dunn coming off a handful of decent trials.
The son of Maurice was beaten by 4.5 lengths third last time out at Murwillumbah, form that looks strong with the winner coming out and scoring by nearly two lengths.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit Belvedere Boys
RACE 3 – 1:39PM AEST – Fidelity Capital F&M Class 2 Showcase Handicap (1100 METRES)
Tres Redoute returned to winning form fresh at Lismore last month, a run she can only improve on.
The Dissident filly struck interference out of the gates but proved tough to hold out over the final 100m, winning by nearly three-quarters of a length.
The in-form James Orman gets a turn in the saddle now, and from barrier 4, I think we’ll see the pair push forward and make their own luck on the speed.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit Tres Redoute
RACE 4 – 2:14PM AEST – Newing Racing and SJ Racing CG&E Class 2 Showcase Handicap (1100 METRES)
Nickelback has decent second-up form, making him a worthwhile look each-way.
The Nicconi gelding was beaten three lengths fresh on the Sunny Coast, a run that suggested he might be looking for further.
He ran a decent race over this trip for a place at Hawkesbury last prep, and with firmer footing this time, I think he might go close if he can offset the wide gate early.
Suggested Bet: 2 Units E/W Nickelback
RACE 5 – 2:49PM AEST – Winning Edge Presentations 4YO&Up Class 2 Showcase Handicap (1600 METRES)
Bay Street won his maiden first-up last time in work, and a repeat performance could be on the cards if his trial form is anything to go by.
The Star Witness three-year-old went on to run a place in three starts across Queensland, scoring again at Murwillumbah by a big margin in a Class 1.
Stepping out over the mile fresh shouldn’t pose an issue.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit Bay Street
RACE 6 – 3:24PM AEST – Tursa Grafton Guineas Quality (1600 METRES)
Flashing Steel is airborne coming off a hat-trick win at Canterbury a few weeks ago.
Annabel Neasham’s three-year-old led all the way to hold on narrowly, a run he can improve on stepping back to country level now.
The son of Not A Single Doubt has relished racing over this distance range of late and represents good value in an open race.
How he handles the extra weight is the main query, but he should run his usual honest race on the speed.
Suggested Bet: 2 Units Flashing Steel
RACE 7 – 3:59PM AEST – Listed Grafton District Services Cub Ramornie Handicap (1200 METRES)
The Big Goodbye has likable form lines after spending the winter racing in Brisbane.
Robert Heathcote’s gelding was runner-up to Group 2 winner Prince Of Boom last time out at Eagle Farm, beating home Group 3 winner Quantico in the process.
The form from his run in the Chief De Beers three back has also been solid, not to mention his outstanding record over this trip.
Drawn wide, I think we’ll see him make his own luck on the speed.
Suggested Bet: 2 Units The Big Goodbye
RACE 8 – 4:34PM AEST – Grafton Taxis Country Boosted BM58 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Burdekin has been knocking on the door all year, finding the placings in each of his last four starts.
The Written Tycoon five-year-old returned from a four-month spell at Murwillumbah a fortnight ago, over-racing in the early stages but giving good chase in the finish for runner-up.
The wide gate doesn’t do him any favours, but another dry track and the apprentice claim are two big ticks.
Suggested Bet: 2 Units Burdekin
