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Classy sprinter The Monstar is set to defy history in his second attempt to win the $160,000 Ramornie Handicap at Grafton today.

The Monstar must set a metric weight-carrying record for the Ramornie if he is to go one better than his close second in the race last year when beaten by Calanda.

The Monstar is carrying 59.5kg and no horse has won a Ramornie Handicap with more than 58kg since racing went metric in 1972/73.

The Brett Cavanough-trained gelding has the added hurdle of having to win from gate 15, a draw that ensures his rider Skye Bogenhuber will use the sprinter’s early speed to try and cross the field and dictate the pace.

Cavanough is confident The Monstar is in the right form to replicate his big effort last year when he led and cost himself a win by hanging out over the last 400m.

“He had a big weight last year and they ran track record so if repeats that again he must go close,” Cavanough said.

“History says he cannot win but I think he is in better form than last year.

“He has won a Group 2 and a Listed race since last year and goes up only half a kilogram so he’s not badly treated in my opinion.

"The draw works for him because he doesn’t like getting inside other horses.”

Cavanough has freshened The Monstar since his last start in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on June 9 after his strong win in the G2 Moreton Cup (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast at his previous start.

Cavanough was pleased to learn the Grafton track has received 8mm of irrigation since Sunday’s meeting to counter concerns that the surface would become too firm ofr the meetings today and on Thursday.

The rail also goes back to the true position after being out 3 metres for the first two days of the carnival.

Gold Coast-trained stablemates Tyzone and Havasay and the Kris Lees-trained mare Zestful head the Ramornie betting.

Trainer Toby Edmonds found it hard to split his pair Havasay and Tyzone from their good barriers.

The Gold Coast based trainer will also saddle the outsider Seigfried.

Former north Queensland sprinter Tyzone was second behind I’m A Rippa in the Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich on June 16 after winning his prior two starts whole Havasay was a luckless third in the Healy Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on June 23 after he was trapped three wide.

“Tyzone is great, he’s done really well since the Eye Liner Stakes and should run well,” said Edmonds. Continued on page 2>>

“He’s freshened up nicely so he’s good to go back to 1200 metres.

Havasay will be having his first start for Edmonda having recently been transferred from Liam Birchley’s stable due to a ban on his horses racing in NSW.

“He will be ridden quiet so he can finish off well. From his inside gate he’s just going to need a little bit of luck in the straight,” Edmonds said.

“We’ve only had him for a few weeks and everything he has done has been good.

I thought his last run was good and I think if everything goes to plan he could run well." Edmonds’ trio will clash with Moreton Cup (Gr 2, 1200m) winner