WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON, JULY 16, 2025

By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, July 15, 2025

WINNO is at GRAFTON for the third day of the 2025 GRAFTON JULY RACING CARNIVAL.

It is the traditional GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB RAMORNIE HANDICAP, 2025.

This day always is a special day. The track rated ‘Good.’ The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit. In the past few meetings horses who led or raced on the speed had a definitive advantage – so keep your eye on this trend early in the program.

The Grafton locals and the visitors will be in attendance – with wonderful fine winter weather forecast – the Club will anticipate a massive crowd.

NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day, please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.

Race 1 CROWN HOTEL MOTEL MAIDEN

A 1000 metre race at maiden grade to start the day.

Matthew Dunn finished off the South Grafton Cup Day winning the feature race - can he continue his winning form here? He has two genuine chances.

Vivika (14) is only a two-year-old who will be ridden by stable apprentice Jett Newman and the 2-kilogram claim will come in handy. Drawn in barrier 13 though, so may need some luck getting across. In her only race start she ran into a nice type at Doomben on debut in Sunrays - since then she has been tipped out and has had a spell. Two recent barrier trials would suggest that she is cherry ripe to win this race - plus the avalanche of money since the markets have opened on Monday would suggest that the stable is very keen on this runner.

The stablemate is Chilled With Ice (2) who will be ridden by Ash Morgan. This runner resumes here. Has had recent barrier trials which suggest he is very forward for this run. Do not overlook him at the $10 mark.

Spoiler (11), as the name suggests, could cause an upset here. She is trained by Fleur Henley and Mikayla Weir will be in the saddle. Last start effort was sound over this distance and has drawn well here. She likes to race on the speed and given the track played well for runners on the speed on Sunday I anticipate she will be right in the race.

Intelligencer (13) is trained by Ethan Ensby. A new runner to his yards after being trained by Ciaron Maher. A solid recent barrier trial at this track with Ben Looker aboard would suggest that she is not without a chance in this race. She has drawn terribly in barrier 19 though, so we will need luck from the wide draw.

Selections:

14 – Vivika
2 – Chilled With Ice
11 – Spoiler
13 – Intelligencer
Rough chances – (5)

Race 2 INGLISDIGITAL.COM MAIDEN PLATE

This is a race over 1700 metres – maiden class – a large field.

Matthew Dunn trains Chief Of Staff (2) who has been racing in midweek races in Sydney. There are a few gear changes here and he has had a freshened up. Drops back in distance from his last start over 1900 metres. Aaron Bullock will ride.

Liam Birchley has a runner here – Pride of Savabella (5). In his prime he used to target this meeting and take away plenty of winners and lots of the bookmaker’s cash with his orchestrated betting plunges! The fact that he has a runner here suggests that he will be difficult to beat. The gelding will be ridden by Matthew McGuren and he comes off a solid run over the mile at Rockhampton. On that occasion he worked home well and finished third. The extra distance will suit him here.

Ziggy Rose (14) is trained by Danielle Sieb with Pierre Boudvillain riding. She is a lightly raced three-year-old filly who resumed at Dubbo over 1400 metres. On that occasion she was last on the turn and they pulled her wide in the straight and she thundered down the outside to run a particularly good second. I anticipate with the increased distance of this race she will be very well supported and be exceedingly difficult to beat. She has been very well backed since the market opened and where there is smoke there is fire!

Gold Puma (9) with Cejay Graham riding is worth an each-way ticket at big odds as well.

Selections:

5 – Pride of Savabella
14 – Ziggy Rose
2 – Chief Of Staff
9 – Gold Puma
Rough chances – (10) Pharaline

Race 3 TURSA GRAFTON GUINEAS 2024

A race over the 1600 metres. Only a small field with solid representation from Brisbane based trainers.

This is always a great support race to our feature event.

Headhunter (5) Is a Matt Hoysted trained runner with Damien Thornton to ride. He was terribly unlucky last start over 1400 metres at Beaudesert. He got too far back on the track which normally favours leaders, however, in saying that, he stormed home late and ran an incredibly good second. I would suggest the big wide Grafton track will suit him and he should be able to make ground late, but remember, in recent meetings the track has definitely had a bias towards horses in the first half of the field.

Silent Call (9) is down in the weights – trained by Matthew Dunn and with Jake Bayliss riding. These two are forming a formidable combination recently winning the Archer in Rockhampton and then the South Grafton Cup last weekend.

Look, he only won a maiden last time out at prohibitive odds over 1550 metres, but what was impressive is that he raced handily throughout in the run and then let down in the straight and destroyed the opposition by 5 lengths. He could be one on the up with no weight.

Desleigh Forster has I am Heroic (1) racing with Aaron Bullock riding. This gelding has a large weight, however, in saying that he does drop back dramatically in class from the races he has been contesting recently. He will enjoy the firm surface and the wide track – look for a bold effort.

Bollinger Miss (2) is trained by Chris and Corey Munce and Ashley Morgan will ride. She went around in the Winx Guineas (Group 3) last start. She was too far back on a day where on pace leaders dominated the program. Now that she is fourth up in this preparation the mile is ideal for her and racing on a firm surface will enhance her chances - she is genuinely each way odds at around the $6 mark and represents excellent value.

Selections:

5 – Headhunter
2 – Bollinger Miss
9 – Silent Call
1 – I’m Heroic
Rough chance – (8) Ronny Bee

Race 4 BARASTOC WARD’S RURAL SHOWCASE

Tough way to end the early Quaddie with a Class 6 over 2200 metres.

Declan Maher trains Khor (6) who will be ridden by Damien Thornton. He only has had the runner for one previous outing after it was transferred from his big brother Ciaron’s stables to his stable. He has had an 8 week freshen up and a trial last week – he may need the run. A tongue tie is going on here – he will improve.

Magicon (9) is trained by Tracey Bartley. They have jumped out of trees to back this one and the drums are beating that he cannot get beaten – he is a tip on every corner at Grafton. Alysha Collett will ride him. His last start was at Newcastle over 1890 metres on a heavy track. He looked to have every chance for mine – the firmer track will assist him.

Sherriff Cody (4) went around in the Grafton Cup prelude around 10 days ago. Engaged in a blanket finish and was narrowly beaten – that is good form for this race. He is trained by Owen Glue and Ashley Morgan takes the ride.

Charmed Destiny (5) will not be without his admirers and will be thereabouts at the finish.

Selections:

6 – Khor
4 – Sherriff Cody
9 – Magicon
5 – Charmed Destiny

Race 5 WINNING EDGE PRESENTATIONS COUNTRY BOOSTED BM58 HANDICAP

First leg of the Quaddie. A BM58 over 1400 metres.

Apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald rides Monte Tiana for Noel Mayfield-Smith. They combined on Sunday to win a race and Mollie claimed a winning double. The mare has been racing on heavy and soft surfaces in her past three starts – she does not like them. I think on top of the ground and down in the weights she could show up at a decent price – around $14.

Monarch Express (2) is trained by Jordan Lee and Aaron Bullock is riding. Was a solid effort at this track and distance ten days ago. Appeared to have every chance in the straight – ridden closer to the speed will enhance his chances.

The top weight Wonderland Star (1) will carry a mammoth 62.5 kilograms less 2 kilograms for apprentice Jett Newman. He is trained by Matthew Dunn and was a last start winner at his home track over 1550 metres on soft going. He is better placed on a good surface and he gets his chance again to win despite the large weight. He is only third up here.

Our Sparky (9) is another runner for the Owen Glue and Ashley Morgan duo. Can they make it a race to race double? He raced at Murwillumbah last time out on a heavy track – the stewards questioned the run after he was held up in the straight and really was not extended – look for an improved effort here.

Selections:

11 – Monte Tiana
1 – Wonderland Star
9 – Our Sparky
2 – Monarch Express

Race 6 FIDELITY CAPITAL SHOWCASE CLASS 2 HANDICAP

The first leg of the treble. A Class 2 race over the 1100 metres.

Neil Ward is still training a couple of horses at Gosford. In his day he was a trainer that had a big team and would set them for races and land some massive plunges. This lightly raced filly Stratafy (5) seemed to peak first up at Wyong over 1000 metres. I expect her to lead and race at speed. Bella Youngberry has the ride.

Zoutastic (7) is trained by Terry Croft and is second up here. She resumed at Hawkesbury over 1000 metres and needed the run and will strip fitter for that effort. I think that she has been deliberately set for this race. The money has poured in with huge odds of $8 being offered on Monday – in the markets she is now around $3.60. Mollie Fitzgerald will ride and I expect her to be handy throughout as well.

Immortality (4) is a Jordan Lee runner with Jett Newman riding. He won his last start at Rockhampton over 1200 metres, leading all the way and giving nothing else an opportunity to get past him. He does drop back in distance however the way he won his last start I would think that he will be effective over the shorter distance at Grafton.

Singing Star (6) is not without a chance.

Selections:

5 – Stratafy
7 – Zoutastic
4 – Immortality
6 – Singing Star
Rough chances – (1)

Race 7 2023 GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB (GDSC) THE RAMORNIE 2025

The second last race and the feature race of Day 3.

Let me start with the top weight Compelling Truth (1) trained by Mack Griffiths and who will be ridden by Bailey Wheeler. A tremendous record on this gelding 4 rides for 4 wins – can they keep this unbeaten record alive in this feature race? The stable has always had this race marked for him this preparation – so he must be considered. He won the Hinkler (Listed) over 1200 metres last start at massive odds at Eagle Farm. It was a day where track bias ruled and he did race handy and put away a solid field. He won the Kirby here last year in a slashing display – leading all the way and running the opposition into the ground. He has had a four week freshen up leading into this race – I am just concerned with the huge weight – but this bloke is very honest and will give you a great sight – 24 career starts for 12 wins and 4 placings – that says enough!

The Big Goodbye (4) won this race in 2023 for Robert Heathcote and an enormous number of syndicate owners. Cejay Graham will ride him here. He was first up in an unsuitable distance of 1110 metres in the Chief De Beers (Listed). He raced handily throughout and just peaked late on his run – he is well weighted here and second up could make his presence known on a track that will suit him.

Richard Litt trains Barber (5) and Dylan Gibbons will ride. I suppose dad Andrew will be somewhere close by ready to celebrate with his son if he can win this feature race – I think it may create a unique history that father and son have won the Ramornie! Andrew Gibbons won the race on Jerezana in 2011 when trained by Peter Snowden.

Barber (5) is an interesting runner who resumed for the new stable and they smashed it in the betting when he won second up at Gosford in the Takeover Target (Listed) over 1200 metres. He then went around in the W.J.Healy Stakes (Group 3) in Brisbane. He raced well but really did not finish off the race late.

Tribeca Star (13) resumes here after a 14-week spell for the Matthew Dunn yards – can he win another feature race?

The gelding has had two recent barrier trials - and he looks very forward for this first up assignment. Ashley Morgan will ride and he will be looking to post his first career Ramornie winner. He has a tremendous first start record where he has had five starts and has never been out of the money in each of these efforts - he is drawn well and looks well placed by the stable with an anticipated bold effort.

Sha Of Gomer (8) is scheduled to be ridden by Rikki Jamieson, representing Jeff Dunn. This horse seems to just keep improving this preparation. He put the writing on the wall with a solid second in the Ipswich Eye Liner (Listed) over 1350 metres. Then he backed that strong effort up in the Rockhampton Newmarket winning the race. He has drawn barrier 6 and there is a lot to like about him as he does race forward in his races. He is a genuine threat in this race despite coming back in distance from the 1300 metres where he has raced recently back to the 1200 metres. His fitness is set to be strong at the end of the 1200 metres will hold him in good stead here at Grafton in this feature event - I think he will take a power of beating in this race. A female jockey has not won this race in twenty years – the last female to salute here was Lacey Morrison in 2006 when she rode despised outsider For Valour to win.

Lady Extreme (14) is an impressive type facing her toughest test of her career. She is trained by Blake Ryan and will have Alysha Collett riding. She is looking for a hat trick of wins. She is down in the weights and will race handy – there is no reason she cannot win this race.

Can the female jockeys go 1 – 2 here in this feature race – that would be another record!

It is a tough affair – there are plenty of runners with serious chances – last year’s race was full of drama – in the end it will be the horse and jockey that keeps out of trouble in the running who will get the best chance.

Selections:

8 – Sha Of Gomer
4 – The Big Goodbye
1 – Compelling Truth
13 – Tribecca Star
Rough chances – (14) Lady Extreme & (5) Barber

Race 8 RABBIT RIDE SHARE 4YO AND UP CLASS 2 SHOWCASE HANDICAP

The last race of this big day of racing. Class 2 race over 1600 metres.

Sponsored by Rabbit Ride Share – these always get a flogging over the Carnival with the revellers who have a bit to drink and then do the right thing and do not drive.

Beauer (5) is on the quick back up after racing on Sunday. Is trained by Paul Murray and he raced over 1410 metres. He worked home well – a mile is right up his alley and Courtney Bellamy will ride.

Think Romance (6) trained by the Curtis team will have Ashley Morgan riding. She resumed at Hawkesbury over 1500 metres. She peaked on her run late – will be fitter for that effort could be right in this race.

Arrabbiata (3) will be ridden by Mikayla Weir – she was beaten on the post at Tamworth over the mile. She will race on the speed as well – looks well placed in this grade.

Matt Hoysted brings Colleano (1) from Brisbane to contest this race – Damien Thornton will ride. Another runner who will be prominent in the running. His last effort at Doomben over 1640 metres was solid. He has been up a while. In saying that they have spaced his runs well apart in the preparation.

It's a tough race to end the day – see if there is a market move and follow the money.

Selections:

1 – Colleano
6 – Think Romance
3 – Arrabbiata
5 – Beauer
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Jockey’s Challenge

An open affair this week – Damien Thornton, Jett Newman and Ashley Morgan should lead the pack. I am going for Ashley in a close battle.

Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

2,11,14 / 2,5,14 / 2,5,9 / 4,6,9 - cost is $81 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

2,14 / 5,14 / 2,5 / 4,6 - cost is $16 to $1

Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

1,2,9,11 / 4,5,7 / 1,4,8,13,14 / 1,3,6 - cost is $180 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

1,9,11 / 5,7 / 1,4,8 / 1,6 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

4,5,7 / 1,4,8,13,14 / 1,3,6 - cost is $45 to $1

BIG 6 (races 3 to 8)

2,5 / 4,6 / 1,9,11 / 5,7 / 1,4,8/ 1,6 - cost is $144 to $1

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