Plenty of money has arrived on race morning for The Monstar, shortening his price up dramatically in the betting for the Listed $160,000 Grafton District Services Club Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton today.
The Monstar, above, has firmed in the betting for the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Ladbrokes.com.au had The Monstar marked at $8 at the start of the day before his price quickly tumbled into $4.60 before easing slightly to $5 by mid-morning.
Three year old Calanda and the James Cummings trained Badajoz are fighting a tight battle for favouritism with both their prices hovering around the $4 mark.
The Monstar’s good recent form has earned him the top weight of 59.5kg, the same impost he carried last start when a fighting second, with Dean Yendall in the saddle, to Gold Symphony in the Listed $150,000 Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill on July 1.
Trainer Brett Cavanough was proud with the way The Monstar fought hard to the line and is expecting to see that same fighting spirit again in the Ramornie Handicap.
“He’s trained on really well and his last run suggested he will tough it out, he’s in for the fight,” Cavanough told Racing New South Wales News.
“It’s a suitable race, he’s drawn well and he’s the top weight for a reason. The track is firmer than what he is used.”
Josh Adams is back aboard The Monstar who will jump from barrier six in the fifteen horse Ramornie Handicap field and he will be hoping for another winning result after the pair combined two starts back to lead all of the way to win the Listed $150,000 June Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on June 10.
Badajoz, with Corey Brown in the saddle, will need plenty of early luck from barrier fourteen but did look very impressive in winning his last start at the Sunshine Coast inn a 1000m BenchMark 90 Handicap on July 1.
Jim Byrne rides Calanda (barrier 3) who is also a last start winner and will be taking on the older horses again following his victory in the 1100m BenchMark 93 Handicap at Rosehill on July 1.
Calanda’s Team Snowden stablemate Flippant has also been in demand in the betting, firming in from $6 to $5.50 during the morning.
Larry Cassidy takes the ride on Flippant (barrier 2) who will be fitter for one run from a spell when fifth to Burning Passion in the Group 3 $175,000 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on June 24.
