John Ramsey heads to the Cameron Handicap with proven duo

Proven mares In Good Health and Never Listen will head to the Cameron Handicap on Friday after recently returning to the Ramsey stable.

Scone-based trainer John Ramsey will line up with a two-pronged attack in the Group Three Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle on Friday.

In Good Health headlines Ramsay’s two runners, with the six-year-old back in the hands of the Scone-based horseman after a stint with Peter Moody.

The Daughter of Congrats became a two-time stakes winner in Victoria and returns from a 13-week break in Friday’s Group Three Feature.

Ramsey said the mare is tracking well ahead of her first-up assignment.

“She’s going good,” he said.

“I haven’t trialled her or anything, I gave her a gallop between races the other day at Scone, just with a maiden as a hit out and a day out.

“She galloped good Monday morning, so fingers crossed.”

Ramsey’s other runner Never Listen will be second-up on Friday after lugging a massive weight at Scone last time out.

The five-year-old finished second to Miami Bound in the VRC Oaks in 2019 but has only had four starts since due to suffering from bone chips in her knee in the autumn of 2020.

The Scone-based horseman said the daughter of Trusting has improved from the first-up run and will be suited by the spacious Newcastle course.

“She had plenty of weight on her back, she was very big first-up”, he said.

“She’s stripped a lot fitter for the run. I had to give her a day out somewhere and I didn’t really want to travel her.

“They don’t have 1200m trials out here, so I just thought I’d send her around.

“She’s raced well at Newcastle before, so that’s why I thought we’d go there.

Five-year-old Bright Rubick will head to Sydney on Saturday to tackle The Agency Handicap (1400m), bypassing the Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle.

The five-year-old will jump from barrier two with Robbie Dolan in the saddle.

The daughter of Rubick was held up at a crucial stage at Wyong last start in the Listed Mona Lisa stakes before running on to finish in seventh position.

Ramsey believes the drop in grade and bigger track will suit the mare on Saturday.

“I’m not saying she would’ve won, but she would’ve finished a lot closer,” he said.

“We’ll drop her back in grade to try and get a city win then we’ll worry about the rest later.

“Even though she’s a little filly, I don’t think she handled the track that well.

“She likes a big open space as well. For a little filly, she’s got a big stride.

“I think the big track will suit her and she’s got a good record at Muswellbrook which is a big open track.

“She’s run good at Randwick before, so we’ll go back there on Saturday.”

In Good Health and Never Listen are $14 and $101 chances respectively for the 2021 Cameron Handicap with the TAB.