Ramornie Handicap Day is always a standout during the winter months, and we’re set for another exciting eight-race card at Grafton on Wednesday.
The rail will remain in the true position around the entire course and the track is likely to be rated in the soft range.
Divine Approach will take winning form into the first on Ramornie Handicap Day and will take beating again.
The three-year-old daughter of Dawn Approach has recorded two wins and five minors from her twelve career starts so far and returned from a freshen-up to record a dominant win here last week.
Any improvement on that effort would see her winning again.
5 Units Divine Approach
Willo Titto has stripped fitter two starts this time and is ready to win at Grafton on Wednesday.
The Pierro mare rarely runs a bad race and resumed this time to fill the minors in BM62 company at Toowoomba – again finishing off well for second at Casino last time out.
Fitter third-up and with a senior hoop aboard (Ben Looker), this looks to be the perfect race for her.
4 Units Willo Titto
This is a drop in class for Zioptimus and I am happy to have a small each-way play at the price ($15 at publish).
Zioptimus has been up and race for a while, but has returned some lovely efforts and results, including a smart win at Kempsey.
He was last seen finishing off well to finish two-lengths fourth at Newcastle, and a similar effort in this company would see him finishing in the money.
1 Unit E/W Zioptimus
This is one of the tougher races on the card to analyse from a betting perspective and there is a case to be made for several contestants.
Marshall Dillon ran well on debut and with natural improvement, looks up to breaking his maiden.
The Shooting To Win gelding was settled off the pace at Casino and while he raced greenly, still managed to run a place.
2 Units Marshall Dillon
Eighth Immortal has been freshened since dropping out to finish towards the tail of the field at Hawkesbury and I think that this looks a terrific race for him.
The I Am Invincible gelding was an impressive winner at Gosford when resuming and finished sixth in a tougher race at Wyong second-up.
He can go straight to the lead in this race and will give them something to chase.
2 Units E/W Eighth Immortal
This is an excellent edition of the Grafton Guineas and while many horses have claims on winning, I’m more than happy to stick with the Matt Dunn-trained Ready To Humble.
Ready To Humble is yet to miss a place in five starts this time in, winning on three occasions including an eye-catching performance in a Highway race at Rosehill last time out.
He’s rock-hard fit, has options from the rails draw and needs only even luck in running to be in the finish again.
4 Units Ready To Humble
The Ramornie Handicap always draws a strong field, but there is a case to be made for this being one of the strongest editions since the turn of the century and at publish, we’re faced with a little under $5 the field.
Haunted is probably unlucky not to have won at least one of his last two starts and the Ramornie looks a lovely target for him.
The Godolphin-trained gelding took a few to get going, but has definitely found peak condition recently and was last seen finishing second behind the in-form Heptagon at Flemington.
He’s drawn ideally in barrier 5 and at around the $10 mark, we can have a decent each-way bet.
2.5 Units E/W Haunted
This is a decent drop in class for California Longbow and he can return to winning form.
The Team Snowden-trained gelding has finished sixth at each of his three starts this time in, but has stripped fitter for each effort and has run into some classy horses, including Mount Popa at his latest.
He might not be offered a better opportunity to win.
2 Units California Longbow