Three year old Howmuchdoyouloveme realised his potential with an all the way win in the Listed $150,000 WHK Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton today giving trainer Con Karakatsanis his first win in the feature race.

Howmuchdoyouloveme and Con Karakatsanis

Trainer Con Karakatsanis (right) has finally won the Ramornie Handicap with Howmuchdoyouloveme - photo © Daniel Costello

“This race is something special and we’ve finally done it. What can I Say?” Karakatsanis said.

Sydney jockey Brenton Avdulla bounced the speedster straight to the front from the inside barrier and controlled the race before letting Howmuchdoyouloveme slip away at the two hundred metres to score a runaway three and three quarter length win over Prost with second favourite River Lad holding on for third spot.

Karakatsanis continued his terrific Grafton form and after saddling up a winning treble last Sunday, won his first Ramornie Handicap in emphatic style.

“I’m absolutely rapped. We don’t know how good this horse is. He’s an absolute superstar at this stage,” Karakatsanis said.

“He has so much to learn, he just runs on raw ability. Brenton Avdulla showed great faith in this horse and he absolutely adores the horse.”

Karakatsanis wasn’t surprised to see the three year old jump straight to the lead and is sure he did enough to earn a trip to Melbourne in the Spring.

“He was a little bit on the toe today, right on the bunny and I kind of expected him to do that. He didn’t over-race, he did everything right, the horse is learning every start,” Karakatsanis said.

“He’s very good. He will have a short little break after this and I’m sure there are some nice races for him in Melbourne.”

Avdulla has always held a high opinion of the Written Tycoon gelding and knew from day one that he was going to develop into a topline sprinter.

“From day one I’ve been with this horse, only missed the one ride on him and from day one he has always given me that feeling he’s a serious horse,” Avdulla said.

Avdulla said that there is still a lot of improvement in the three year old and after toying with the opposition in the straight, let the heavily backed $2.80 favourite coast to the line.

Prost ($6) ran home solidly for Jeff Lloyd for second and River Lad ($3.70) faded slightly in the run to the line to finish third after trying to match it with Howmuchdoyouloveme coming to the hometurn.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.