Champion trainer Peter Snowden’s chances of a record-extending seventh win in the Ramornie Handicap (1200m) has been dealt a blow with Fire Star drawing off the track for the Listed $200,000 feature at Grafton on Wednesday.
Fire Star was allocated barrier 14 for the Ramornie, which has attracted a full field of 16 plus five emergencies. Snowden’s sprinter could move into barrier 11 after scratchings.
Snowden has a remarkable record in the Ramornie with six wins in 16 years from Ka Bling (2024), Ranges (2022), Signore Fox (2020), Calanda (2017), Jerezana (2011) and Pinwheel (2010).
TAB Fixed Odds price assessors are wary of Snowden’s Ramornie record and have kept Fire Star safe in early betting at $10 according to leading betting apps Australia, behind the Tony Gollan-trained Perielle at $4.80 favourite.
The Clarence River Jockey’s Club’s midweek double-header also features the Listed $200,000 Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday, which has attracted a classy field of stayers.
The Tom Charlton-trained King Pedro, winner of the Stayers Cup at Rosehill last start, is the $2.40 favourite in early betting ahead of Pounding and So You Are at $6 according to leading betting sites with sign up bonus.
Michael Beattie, the CRJC chief executive, said he was “extremely pleased” with the quality of fields for the Ramornie Handicap and Grafton Cup.
“The Ramornie is a bit of a stand-alone for the genuine 1200m horse, it’s like we are the only show in town at this time of year,” Beattie said.
“But that is not the case for the Grafton Cup so I am especially pleased with the field we have for Thursday’s race.
“The handicappers have come up with a good weight scale for the Cup and that has virtually ‘invited’ all the better horses to come for the race.”
Beattie said the Grafton track “played very well” for the South Grafton Cup meeting yesterday – with the Charlton stable snaring the first of what it is hoped is a feature race double when Mr Chaplin won the Big Dance qualifier – but confirmed the rail will go back to the true position for the Wednesday and Thursday meetings.
