The Mario Caltabiano trained Malavio is the new top weight for the Listed $150,000 Crowe Horwath Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on Wednesday following the non-acceptance of Dothraki and Big Money.
Malavio is the new top weight for the Ramornie Hanidcap at Grafton. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Dothraki and Rodney Northam’s Big Money were listed as equal topweights with 59kg when the weights were released last week but with both sprinters not in the makeup of the final field of sixteen plus two emergencies, Malavio had 1.5kg added to his 56.5kg so as to carry the mandatory top weight of 58kg.
Caltabiano has put the blinkers back on Malavio who is having his first race start following an unsuccessful Autumn Carnival campaign which concluded with a last of eleven in the Group 3 $150,000 Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) at Randwick on April 18.
Malavio has had two barrier trials at the Gold Coast in preparation for his return with a second over 900m on June 9 followed by a fourth over 1000m on July 2.
The Snowden Team will still be represented in the Ramornie Handicap with I’ve Got The Looks who will start one of the favourites following a winning double during the Queensland Winter Carnival.
“She is in with a good chance and her form through the winter in Queensland was good,” Peter Snowden told The Courier-Mail.
Snowden has freshened up the five year old mare following her three runs in Queensland and was happy with her work on Saturday morning.
“She had a freshen-up after her last start with an eye of always targeting this race and she worked very well so I feel she is back in good order again,” Snowden said.
“She worked over 1000m and ran home the last 600m pretty solid and it was as good as she has ever worked.”
I’ve Got The Looks is dropping back to 1200m after running eighth to Peace Force in the Group 3 $150,000 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on May 23 but was a winner at her two previous starts.
The Choisir mare made her 2015 Carnival debut with a win in the Listed $150,000 Better Than Ready Silk Stocking (1200m) at the Gold Coast on April 25 and then backed that up with a win in the Listed $100,000 Designline Graphics Juanmo Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on May 9.
The Toby Edmonds trained Bound For Earth also raced consistently during the Queensland Winter Carnival for a third to Hazard in the Group 2 $300,000 Best Security Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on June 6 followed by a fourth to Srikandi in the Group 1 $500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Club Tiara (1400m) at the Gold Coast on June 20.
Brisbane premiership leader Tony Gollan will saddle up Rocket To Glory who looks well placed in the Ramornie Handicap following his third to Dothraki in the Group 3 $175,000 Tattersall’s 150th Anniversary Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on June 20.
Eagle Farm trainer Liam Birchley is stepping Rock Royalty up in class after the six year old has been racing well in restricted company with two wins from his last three starts.
Rock Royalty took out a 1200m Class 6 at Doomben three starts back on April 18 and will head to Grafton as last start winner over 1100m in a Class 6 on Ipswich Cup day on June 13.
Last start Randwick winner Timeless Prince and Rosehill placegetter Turbulent Prince are also among the final acceptances for the Ramornie Handicap.
