Calanda wins Ramornie for Snowden team

Brisbane jockey Jim Byrne and Sydney trainers Peter and Paul Snowden have continued their successful winter association with Calanda in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.

The highlight of the campaign was Redzel’s Group One win in the Doomben 10,000 in May.

Calanda also went to Brisbane for the carnival but was unplaced in two starts in Group races before returning to Sydney where he won an 1100m-race at Rosehill last Saturday week.

The three-year-old was sent out the$3.80 favourite in Wednesday’s Ramornie (1200m) and held off topweight The Monstar ($5.50) by a short head with another Snowden-trained horse, Flippant ($6) 1-1/4 lengths third.

“He is a talented horse. Brisbane didn’t go right for him,” Paul Snowden said.

“It was a good win at Rosehill.

“Jim rode him well today. He poked through on the part of the track where everyone was trying to get off.

“Flippant is a tough mare and has bounced back off her Healy Stakes run.

Flippant finished fifth in the Group Three Healy Stakes on June 24 at Doomben.

Calanda, who now has five wins from 11 starts, will have a spell ahead of the spring.

“It’s a shame to tip him out because he is in such good order but we will look after him and see the benefits later on,” Snowden said.

It was the third Ramornie win for Peter Snowden who was head trainer for Darley when Pinwheel and Jerezana were successful in 2010 and 2011 respectively.