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The Listed Ramornie Handicap spearheads proceedings at today’s Grafton meeting.
A capacity field is assembled for the $160,000 Listed event where sticking with the class horses nearer to the top of the weights shapes as the way to go.
Of the 16 runners contesting Wednesday’s Ramornie Handicap meeting, only five sit inside the handicap.
Into The Red shapes as the pick of that handful.
The Kelso Wood-trained gelding has won two of his three starts this campaign, the latest when taking out the Healy Stakes over this trip at Eagle Farm.
Into The Red settled behind the speed on that occasion and on straightening, went stride for stride with the Robert Heathcote-trained Saluter.
Into The Red won narrowly over Saluter with 5.5 lengths back to third placegetter Mogador.
Form out of the race has since held up well with Saluter finishing second to Flamboyer in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 2.
The strength of Into The Red’s first two runs this campaign should also be noted having won the Bribie Handicap (1050m) at Doomben first up before a fair fifth to Executed in the Lightning Handicap (1050m).
The gelding is drawn to receive all of the favours in transit from barrier 3 and shapes as an excellent chance of going on with his winning ways.
Ladbrokes presently have Into The Red quoted at $5.50 and are also offering an ‘Enhanced Odds’ promotion on the race meaning an even better price is available about the last start winner.
Mogador has placed in his past two outings, the latest when third to Into The Red contesting the Healy Stakes.
He continues to find the line well this preparation although is now beginning to become most costly for favourite punters, beaten as one three time since returning from a freshen up at Randwick on April 23.
The colt at least gets a 2kg weight swing on the winner of the Healy Stakes and knowing what Mogador can produce at best, he must be some chance of turning the tables.
Mount Nebo has hit the ground running this campaign, resuming with a second in the June Stakes before winning over 1200m at Randwick last start.
The Allan Denham-trained gelding is a noted wet tracker however the strength of his two runs so far this campaign on Soft tracks is too hard to ignore in this line up.
Big Money has been given a let up since an underwhelming display in the Stradbroke Handicap.
His first up run in the Goodwood though was solid where he settled back and produced solid work late.
The Choisir gelding is proven at the course, distance and third up.
Dropping back from Group 1 level, don’t be surprised to see a sharply improved result.
On that note, Smart Volatility could also produce a better result than his fading seventh at Randwick behind Mount Nebo last start.
In his Australian debut after a successful stint in Hong Kong, Smart Volatility settled prominent before tiring over the final stages.
The gelding would have been in need of the run and should have taken benefit from it.
A return to firmer ground could also prove beneficial.