Archibalds Have Eyes On Ramornie For Honest Sprinter

By Ray Hickson of Racing NSW
 
A tilt at Grafton’s feature sprint is on the cards for consistent sprinter Eye Of The Fire if he performs to Annabel and Rob Archibald’s liking at Rosehill on Saturday.
 
The five-year-old goes on trial for the Ramornie Handicap when he has his second run back in the Ranvet Handicap (1200m) and Rob Archibald says a repeat of his first-up performance would see him hard to beat.
 
Eye Of The Fire was just getting the better of the leader when he was ambushed in Benchmark 94 company by Sunshineinmypocket two weeks ago at Randwick.
 
“If you’re going to go up to Grafton he’s going to have to be going close,’’ Archibald said.
 
“He’s a really solid horse, a good bread and butter horse for the stable, he always wins a race each prep and I can’t fault him. “We nearly went there last year and it’s on the cards as long as we’re happy with him after Saturday.”
 
Braith Nock, who leads the apprentice premiership by two wins over Siena Grima, retains the ride and Archibald said it’s important the first half of the race is smooth for Eye Of The Fire, $5 with TAB on Friday, to bring out his best.
 
“He’s very consistent but he’s not the easiest horse to ride,’’ he said.
 
“The main thing with him is he just doesn’t overdo it in the first part and if the race isn’t run to suit he can get it a bit wrong.
 
“He executed it well first-up and looks to get a nice run from a good draw. I thought he came back in good order and with the right sort of run he looks like a decent chance.”
 
The Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) is run on July 15 at Grafton.
 
The Archibald stable has four runners in the TAB Handicap (2000m) headed by top weight Lincoln Rocks who is expected to run his best race this preparation.
 
An improved effort behind Tazima over 1800m two weeks ago showed Archibald he could be getting back to form and a wet track is in his favour.
 
“I thought he was much better last start, he’s a horse that on his day can certainly mix it with these,’’ he said.
 
“He’s drawn quite well, he would love more give in the track but there should be enough there for him.”
 
Black Babylon, Cormac T and Lennox round out the quartet and the vibe is that the former can bounce back after missing a place at his last start over 2400m four weeks ago.
 
“I thought Black Babylon has been excellent, I think he went back to the races a bit quick last start,’’ Archibald said. “We’ve had a chance to freshen up, this is a nice race for him and then he goes to the 2400m in two weeks.
 
“Lennox was much better last start and will appreciate getting out over a bit further and Cormac T is a tricky one, on his day he’s definitely good enough.”
 
A race morning decision will determine whether Montpellier takes his place alongside Sir Artie in the Petaluma Handicap (1400m) with Archibald saying there is an option next week for the import.