May in Wagga and July in Grafton has been part of Paul Murray’s life for more than 50 years, so having Harry’s Bar chasing for the Town Plate-Ramornie Handicap double is extra special for the Kembla Grange trainer this week.
Murray’s legendary father, Bede, took the family on their holidays around the two carnivals, and it engendered a love for country racing in Paul.
It means Harry’s Bar’s win in the Town Plate is near the top of the Group 2-winning trainer’s list of accomplishments and made the Ramornie the next target.
“I don’t think Dad had a Ramornie runner. We were always just watching it,” Murray said. “I know if he won the Town Plate, the Ramornie would have been straight on the agenda, so we planned for this.”
Harry’s Bar will run for history in Wednesday’s Ramornie, as no sprinter has won the two biggest sprints in NSW country racing, and Murray has followed the blueprint from the Wagga success.
Before Wagga, Harry’s Bar was a good fifth in the Provincial-Midway Championships and this time she tuned up in the Bob Charley Stakes a couple of weeks ago.
“She is ready to step up to that Listed level now, and if we could be the first to do the double, it would be very exciting,” Murray said.
“After Wagga, brought her back to Berry for a couple of weeks, and then she was fresh for the run at Randwick [when fifth in the Bob Charley Stakes].”
“She improved with that run, and she flew in a jumpout after the barrier trials at Kembla the other day, which has topped her off.”
“I think the 1200m will be perfect for her and it is a good chance to start getting some black type with her.”
