An exciting midweek program coming up here, highlighted by the Grafton carnival. The Ramornie Handicap is always a star-studded affair of bush racing, and this year is no different. The action also from Eagle Farm, Sandown, Kensington, Belmont, Bordertown, and Warwick will ensure us punters are occupied for the majority of our day. PlayUp form experts have delivered some selections below.
Sandown:
R2 #6 Murrumbidgee River $2.40 at PlayUp – Very keen on this Fiorente gelding, who looks to be a very talented stayer. The stable debuted him over 1500m on the Ballarat Synthetic last start, and he blew them away by 3L in a very eye-catching win. He ran quicker time vs harder class over the same distance that day and was eased down before the line. The win rated very highly, and with natural improvement and progression coming here second-up out to 1800m, he should be too good for these. It looks like a race of very limited ability, and he is the one with all the upside.
R3 #1 Always In Moment $3.70 at PlayUp – Second up here, coming off a very smart win when resuming at Lakeside over 1300m. She sat wide on speed, and they went quickly as well, and although looked beaten at the 250m she found more and powered away late for a dominant victory. She ran the fastest last 200m split of the race, and the rating of the win was very strong. Second, up now and fitter, stepping to the mile will suit and she is proven to handle wet ground as well. Will have to do it all with 61.5kg, but has drawn for a soft run.
R6 #9 Miss Starway $10.00 at PlayUp – Second up into the prep here, coming off a very unlucky return to racing at Mornington over 1000m the last start. She missed the kick a touch from a low draw, and as such was forced to settle in a very awkward position four pairs back on the fence. Riding for luck in the straight, she found nothing but dead-ends until the final 100m when she took a gap and hit the line very well. Second, up now, sticking to the 1000m is no issue, and although this is in harder grade, she looks exceptionally weighted with 52.5kg after the claim. Will get back again here but can be off the rails, and will appreciate an expected hot tempo in front.
Grafton:
R5 #11 Lasting Kiss $2.25 at PlayUp – A consistent if nothing else type of galloper here in Lasting Kiss, who ran 2nd over the 1215m here at Grafton when resuming. Was only beaten half a length, and it was an encouraging sign that her second-up run would be strong. Back to 1100m now from a very good draw suits, and although rises in class this looks no harder than the fresh assignment. The booking of Alysha Collett is a strong push, she is riding in outstanding form of late. Looks like the best bet of the day.
R7 (Listed Ramornie Handicap) #5 Southern Lad $8.50 at PlayUp – Fourth up here into the Ramornie and is ready to peak, beaten only 1L by Superium in the Listed Hinkler at Eagle Farm last start. Has drawn perfectly here in barrier four, and the booking of C Reith who looks to be the leading rider at this carnival is a positive. Southern Lad ran 5th in this race last year, beaten just over 1.5L, and had formed behind Everest winner Classique Legend and also Viridine when coming into the race. Similar strong form lines are at play this year, but coming in a run earlier than 2020 looks like a positive move.
