It’s undoubtedly one of, if not the premier sprint race in country racing, and Murwillumbah trainer David McColm wants to win Wednesday’s Ramornie Handicap with his champion galloper Far Too Easy.
“It’s a time-honoured race, and it would be a special race to win,” McColm said.
“Plus, Grafton is a special place, and it holds a little place in my heart because I rode my first winner there back in 1978, and Far Too Easy kicked off his career at Grafton and won his first two races there.”
A stellar field will come together for the $200,000 Listed event over the 1200m journey at Grafton’s Clarence River Jockey Club, and Far To Easy will go around as the top weight (58kg), while James Orman has been tasked with riding him after connections drew gate 16.
The four-year-old has dealt with a few wide draws this preparation, and after looking at the race in more detail, McColm isn’t convinced it will ruin his galloper’s chances.
“I won’t lie to you; my initial thoughts were to go and lock myself in a dark room for a couple of hours,” He laughed.
“I was a little deflated about the draw, but when I sat down and thought about it and went through the field, I thought it may not be the worst-case scenario.
“If we can be lucky enough, Jimmy Orman might get to be three wide with some cover, and if that happens, he is every chance.”
In a story fitting of a Hollywood film, Far Too Easy was McColm’s ‘once-in-a-lifetime’, but it didn’t all go to plan.
The gelding almost died during the Northern Rivers floods, with the trainer inspecting the stables from a boat, with water lapping at his horse’s knees, and Far Too Easy was one of those stranded.
Like many other residents in the Northern Rivers, McColm gritted his teeth and bounced back.
He’s since been rewarded, with his All Too Hard gelding starting 16 times for seven wins and three minor placings, earning connections just shy of $1 million in prize money.
After winning three of his first four starts, including back-to-back wins at Grafton in 2021, Far Too Easy won the $130,000 Winning Rupert Plate (1200m) at Doomben in late 2021.
In early 2022, he claimed the $150,000 Northern Rivers Country Championships qualifier before finishing a gallant fourth to Another One in the final.
Later that year, he finished second to Front Page in the $2 million Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick; he’s notched wins at the Gold Coast and Doomben, and last start, Far Too Easy finished second to Prince Of Boom in the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm on June 3.
Only so many superlatives can be used to describe this champion country galloper, with McColm simply in awe of his gelding.
“He’s been tremendous,” McColm said.
“I still say it; he’s that once-in-a-lifetime horse and gives 110% every time he goes out.
“He’s had to do it tough in a few races, but he just gives his all.”
Connections know it will be a tough job for the $4.60 chance at Grafton on Wednesday when he comes up against the likes of Deepour (Kyle Wilson-Taylor, $3.60), The Big Goodbye (Martin Harley, $7), Devils Throat ($8.50), Norwegian Bliss (Ash Morgan, $9), and Ranges (Ryan Maloney, $11).
Still, McColm likes his chances.
“He’s certainly got his work cut out for him with the top weight and outside alley, but we just need a bit of luck,” McColm said.
“If he gets that luck, he has a big chance.”
Wednesday is set to be a massive day at Grafton’s Clarence River Jockey Club, and complementing the $200,000 Ramornie Handicap (1200m) is the $80,000 Grafton Guineas (1600m) and a stacked eight-race showcase program.
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