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While Grafton wont be represented in the Ramornie Handicap, local hopes will be pinned on father and daughter duo, trainer Greg and jockey Leah Kilner, in todays next biggest race, the $80,000 Tursa Grafton Guineas.

Stable star Swanston has won four races and placed four times from 14 starts heading into the 1600m three-year-old feature. The gelding gained direct entry by winning the Grafton Guineas Prelude (1240m) on Westlawn Day (June 27), and will carry 55.5kg with Leah once again in the saddle.

The son of Smart Missile paid healthy odds of $21 when he kicked ahead in the straight and held off higher-fancied rivals Oakfield Arrow ($2.80fav) and Alpha Go ($8) to the line.

I thought Swanston was well over the odds, Greg said of the prelude win. Ridiculous odds on form, ran a place to a good horse (Adelaides Diamond) on the Gold Coast (May 12) on a very heavy track (heavy 10).

After the recent square off, the Ladbrokes bookmakers have put Swanston ($10) on par with Oakfield Arrow ($9.50), behind Les Kelly-trained favourite Tamilaide ($3.40), on the eve of the Grafton Guineas. However, the wider draw out of barrier ten has connections concerned.

I give him a really good each way chance, for sure, Leah said of Swanston from the familys stables at Cuban Song Lodge yesterday.

He loves Grafton, he has a really good record here, and he can run a mile.

I hope the track stays a little bit wet for him, because he likes the sting out of the ground.

Hes just drawn a bit awkward, so I dont know what were going to get. Hes a horse that does like the fence. But he tries his heart out, so hell be thereabouts.

Swanstons win completed a double for the Kilners on the opening day of the carnival, after Volfoni ($14) stormed home on the outside from the rear of the field in the Westlawn Insurance Brokers Class One Handicap (1215m).

Volfoni has also drawn wide (15) in todays last race at Clarence River Jockey Club, the Grafton Taxis Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m).

Hes drawn extremely wide and hell have to go back, Lead said.

Hell probably be last again like he was the other day. Just let him work into it and let him find the line again.

The track has been playing a little bit leader-ish. Hopefully on the main days Im sure the rail will be back in the true and everything will get the chance.

He will be second up, hopefully he doesnt suffer from second up syndrome, but I think hell be right.

Hes a horse that really loves racing. Hes probably not blessed with the most of ability, but he just puts in 110 per cent every time he goes round. Hes a bit of a stable favourite, he just does whatever you want him to do and just tries every time to put him around.

The wins to Swanston and Volfoni almost doubled the stables 2020-21 season tally, with just three - including two to Swanston - prior to Westlawn Day.

Meanwhile, Leah is tied with Matthew McGuren as virtual leaders in the race for the Jockey of the Carnival, with a pair of second placings on Scilago in the Grafton Cup Prelude and Hit The Target in the South Grafton Cup to go with her two wins.

Its always really good to get a winner in carnival time, because everyones watching and youre a little bit more pumped up, she said.

But at the end of the day it is work, and youre trying to win every race you can.

She will ride Scilago again in the CPSU NSW Wage Growth Rural Plate Class 6 (2200m) today for Gold Coast trainer Leon Elliott.

He run really well when second in the Cup Prelude, Leah said.

They decided not to go to the cup and put him in the 2200 on Ramornie Day. Hes only a little horse but he tries really hard and its not a very strong race, so I give him a really good chance.

Ive got three really nice rides tomorrow.

The Grafton track was rated a soft six on the eve of Ramornie Day.

The first race of the day is the Winning Edge Presentations 4YO&Up Class 2 Handicap (1600m) at 12.29pm, the Guineas run at 3.24pm and the Ramornie at 3.59pm and the last at 4.34pm.

Read more:
Grafton Guineas beckon after red-hot start to July Carnival - Fox Sports