Fire Star draws wide as Snowden aims for Ramornie Handicap record
Peter Snowden, a decorated trainer, faces an obstacle in his pursuit of an unprecedented seventh Ramornie Handicap title. His contender, Fire Star, has drawn the extreme outside barrier for the $200,000 Listed feature at Grafton on Wednesday. Fire Star was allocated barrier 14, with the Ramornie Handicap attracting a full field of 16 runners plus five emergencies. Snowden's sprinter's starting position could improve to barrier 11 following any scratchings.
Snowden's remarkable success in the Ramornie Handicap, with six victories over 16 years, includes wins with Ka Bling (2024), Ranges (2022), Signore Fox (2020), Calanda (2017), Jerezana (2011), and Pinwheel (2010). Despite the wide draw, TAB Fixed Odds have kept Fire Star at a respectable $10, acknowledging Snowden's history in the race, while Tony Gollan's Perielle leads the market at $4.80.
The Clarence River Jockey Club's busy week also features the Listed $200,000 Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday, which has assembled a high-calibre field of staying types. King Pedro, trained by Tom Charlton and recently victorious in the Stayers Cup at Rosehill, is the current favourite at $2.40, with Pounding and So You Are rated at $6.
Michael Beattie, the chief executive of the CRJC, conveyed his satisfaction with the competitiveness of the fields for both 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 remarked. "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 also commented on the Grafton track's condition during the preceding South Grafton Cup meeting, noting the success of the Charlton stable with Mr Chaplin securing a Big Dance qualifier. He confirmed that the rail would be reinstated to the true position for the upcoming Wednesday and Thursday race cards.
Punters keen on the Ramornie Handicap can compare the latest racing odds on top online bookmakers.
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