BRUDENELL GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR RAMORNIE HANDICAP TILT

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KRIS Lees has given the “green light” for Brudenell to run as he chases a Ramornie Handicap breakthrough at Grafton on Wednesday.

The leading Newcastle trainer also nominated the gelding for the July Sprint (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, but Grafton got the nod when he drew barrier two today in a capacity field for the $200,000 Listed 1200m feature.

“I would not have been keen to run Brudenell with a big weight (57.5kg) if he had drawn poorly,” Lees said this afternoon.

“He remained at our Gold Coast base after his last run at Eagle Farm on June 27.”

Lees has won a Grafton Cup (Sixties Groove in 2020) and a Grafton Guineas (Turnberry in 2018), but the Jacaranda City’s major sprint has so far eluded him, though not for the want of trying.

He has had seconds twice with Captain Bax (2008) and Gem Song (2022), and a third with Motspur in 2011.

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Whilst Brudenell’s latest failure in the Group 3 Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm two and a half weeks ago was out of character for the normally consistent six-year-old (who has won 10 races and been placed as many times from 38 starts, and earned just over $1.1m), Lees said he doesn’t perform up to his best in Queensland.

“I have started him three times (twice in Brisbane and the other at the Sunshine Coast) and for some reason he doesn’t fire,” he said.

“Maybe his doesn’t like Queensland.

“We know Brudenell is better than that, and he can definitely improve in the Ramornie from an inside barrier.”

Aaron Bullock will ride Brudenell, who was a $19 chance today with TAB.com.au in a typically open Ramornie.

Bullock also has been booked for stablemates Rustemo (Grafton Guineas, 1600m), Firey Truth (Inglis Bonus Super Maiden Plate, 1700m), and Barazin (Class 6 Rural Plate, 2200m) at Wednesday’s Showcase fixture.

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Rustemo, who won his first three starts this preparation before an excellent third in the Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 4, is the $3.30 favorite, but not yet a certain starter.

“He is also in a 3YO Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday,” Lees said.

“I’ll discuss with the owners tomorrow which way to go.”

. Connections of the two provincial representatives in the Ramornie could not have wished for better barriers.

After Brudenell drew two, Kembla Grange trainer Paul Murray’s Harry’s Bar (Jean Van Overmeire) came up with the inside alley.

Murray arrived in Grafton last Saturday, and is attempting to add the Ramornie to his recent Wagga Town Plate triumph with Harry’s Bar, who is rated a $10 chance, with Brisbane-trained Australian Bloodstock-raced Pereille (Robbie Dolan) the $4.80 favorite.

. The rail is in the TRUE position for the Ramornie meeting, and the track is currently rated a “Good 4”.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JULY 13, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS