Three year old Calanda proved too strong against the older horses with a narrow but impressive win in the Listed $160,000 Grafton District Services Club Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton today.

Calanda, above winning at Rosehill, made it back to back wins with his victory in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton. Photo by Steve Hart.

A superb ride from Jim Byrne saw Calanda settled just behind the speed on the fence from an inside barrier and the $3.80 favourite responded in the straight when the gaps opened up to secure a nose win over the well supported The Monstar ($5.50).

“It is a big thrill. He is a talented horse himself,” winning co-trainer Paul Snowden said.

“The races in Brisbane didn’t go right for him, he got strung up at a vital stage and was going to the line well within himself and backed up with a really handy win the other day at Rosehill.”

“He poked through on the inside part of the track where everybody is trying to get off, but he got the job done.”

“He has had talent but maybe the warps were on a little bit too early. He hadn’t proved it yet and he ran into a lot of trouble against some good opposition up in Brisbane so he has beat a handy field here today which is very pleasing.”

Paul Snowden, who trains in partnership with his father Peter, said there might still be some more options for Calanda this campaign but will see how he pulls up before making any further plans.

“We will send him home and give him a break and we might see something early in the Spring,” Paul Snowden said.

“We might have him up and running quiet early because he is in such good order it is a shame to put him out but I think we will look after him and get some more benefits out of that.”

The Snowdens also saddled up third placegetter Flippant ($6) who ran her honest race again for Larry Cassidy.

“She is a tough mare and she might have a couple of more wins left in her,” Snowden said.

The Brett Cavanough trained The Monstar with Josh Adams in the saddle seemed to run off the track on the home turn and finished out wide over the concluding stages but still did a tremendous job with 59.5kg on his back to only go down by the narrowest of margins.

Calanda made it back to back wins following his victory in an 1100m BenchMark 93 Handicap at Rosehill on July 1.

2017 Ramornie Handicap Result