MURRAY’S GRAFTON RAMORNIE PLAN WITH HARRY’S BAR

PAUL Murray is a regular visitor to Grafton’s famous July carnival – and will be making the trip again next month.

This time around the Kembla Grange trainer is eyeing a feature victory with his recent Wagga Town Plate winner Harry’s Bar.

But first things first.

Harry’s Bar will have her first start at Royal Randwick on Saturday since brilliantly taking the 1200m feature sprint on April 30.

The mare’s Wagga jockey Jean Van Overmeire again will be in the saddle for the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m).

“We gave Harry’s Bar a break away from the stables for four days at our property at Berry when she came home from Wagga,” Murray said this morning en route to having runners at another Wagga meeting.

“Then she went back into work at Kembla, and has done really well.

“I’m pretty happy with her.

“The Bob Charley Stakes is a strong race, but Harry’s Bar has drawn well and comes in with the limit weight (53kg).

“I’m giving her a really good chance.”

As for Grafton in July, Murray’s iconic late father Bede always supported the carnival – and he has carried that tradition on.

“I love going there each year,” he said.

“The weather’s usually a bit warmer than down our way.”

Murray considers Grafton’s feature sprint, the $200,000 Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) on July 15, is a perfect assignment for Harry’s Bar.

The Bob Charley AO winner automatically becomes exempt from Ramornie ballot, and Murray says he will keep the mare fresh and won’t run her again in between.

Harry’s Bar is one of five provincial acceptors for Randwick’s feature June sprint.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has Brudenell (Aaron Bullock), Infancy (Dylan Gibbons), and Memoria (Alysha Collett), and Wyong’s Sara Ryan has Dollar Magic (Reece Jones).

Randwick has been a happy hunting ground for Murray this season.

He won the $400,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) with $31 debutante Where’s The Circus there last December.

Harry’s Bar’s Wagga triumph boosted her earnings to just over $354,000 – a wonderful result considering she was purchased unraced for only $18,000 online through Inglis Digital in February 2024.

Harry’s Bar initially fetched $150,000 as a Gold Coast yearling, then was sold for $20,000 at John Singleton’s Strawberry Hills Stud dispersal sale the following year.

However, an ownership anomaly resulted in her again being put on the market – and she was one of three horses Murray bought at the online sale.

Harry’s Bar actually was a member of Murray’s Grafton July team two years ago, and he well remembers her debut.

Ridden by Adrian Layt, Harry’s Bar drew the outside barrier in a field of 13 and ran a close second to Hawkesbury trainer Terry Croft’s Hot Jive in the Big Maiden (1175m).

And there was a story to what was very nearly a successful debut.

“Harry’s Bar lost her trackwork rider at Grafton in a gallop leading up to the race, and bolted two and a half laps,” Murray explained.

“I’m looking forward to taking her back this year, and hopefully winning the Ramornie.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JUNE 4, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS