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By Mark Brassel

Randwick trainer John Thompson will be hoping to go one better in Wednesday’s $80,000 Tursa Employment & Training Grafton Guineas (1600m).

Thompson has had previous representatives in the Grafton Guineas and while he has fared well, he’s hoping the pendulum of luck can swing back his way.

The stable’s first runner was a winner when Reneged powered away with the 2016 Grafton Guineas under Tye Angland.

Emmadella (Chad Schofield) finishes hard to score at Rosehill Gardens. Image by Bradley Photographers

Thompson then trained the runner-up in 2019 when favourite Commander and Rachel King finished behind Charmed Princess.

Then last year Thompson was represented by the $1.90 favourite Crafty Eagle who got back in the field and was wide before running home stoutly for second to Betcha the Crown when ridden by Reece Jones.

Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds owned Reneged and the same owners will have Emmadella running for them in Wednesday’s Grafton Guineas (1600m).

Emmadella is a three-year-old filly and was runner-up at Kembla Grange and on the Kensington Track, both over 1400m, before ploughing through the heavy conditions to claim a Midway Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens.

The daughter of All Too Hard will be having a crack at the 1600m for the first time but the way she hit the line last start suggests the additional 200m will pose few problems.

Thompson has also entered With Your Blessing in the $200,000 Listed-Grafton District Services Club Ramornie Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday.

The gelding, a dual Randwick winner, should be cherry ripe now following three runs back from a spell.

The latest was when he finished fast for third behind Contemporary at Royal Randwick (1200m), having loomed up on the inside but just peaked late on his run.

There are nine last start winners nominated for the Ramornie including an ‘omen’ bet for State of Origin followers.

With the NSW v Qld decider on Wednesday night, trainer Rob Heathcote has entered Meat Pie Artie a last start Eagle Farm winner.

The galloper is named after legendary rugby league player Arthur ‘Artie’ Beetson who was the captain of Queensland’s inaugural State of Origin team and loved a meat pie.

Other last start winners in the Ramornie are Change the Date (won Grafton Guineas Prelude), Toes in the Water (Rosehill), Pluckten (Hawkesbury) and Kareem (Beaudesert).

Thursday’s Grafton Cup weights are headed by Spirit Ridge (60.5kg) and last start Brisbane Cup winner Allegron (60kg). Chris Waller’s last start Rosehill winner Speycaster (54kg) is also entered.

Clarence River Jockey Club will have buses operating to and from the racecourse on Wednesday and live music on the Westlawn with Adam Hourigan.

And of course, the Ramornie/Grafton Guineas program is followed by Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup Day on Thursday, one of Grafton’s biggest social events of the year.

The big Grafton Racing Carnival finishes up next Sunday with Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Cup Day, a big family day with free kids’ activities and fashions as well as Tangle playing on the Westlawn.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Dubbo, Quirindi
Wednesday: Grafton
Thursday: Grafton
Friday: Tamworth, Queanbeyan
Saturday: Inverell, Carinda (non-TAB)
Sunday: Grafton