Kembla Grange trainer Graeme Murray arrived in Grafton sweating on a scratching to gain entry in the Ramornie Handicap on Wednesday.
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Rafha's Choice was fourth emergency, but elevated to within one place of a start after Bon Amis, Cradle Mountain and Albumin's withdrawal.
So Murray made the long trip north, prepared to instead to wait for a Class 6 over 1200m on Thursday as part of the carnival instead.
Rafha's Choice has three wins and a second from seven starts on soft going, most recently saluted on a Soft 7 on Wagga Gold Cup day in May.
Trainer fined
Kembla Grange trainer Peter Korn has been fined $4000 after a sample from five-year-old gelding Uno That found prohibited substances Tapentadol and Metformin. Uno That ran second in a 1300m Maiden Plate at Kembla Grange on February 5, with the results of an inquiry into the positive urine test announced on Tuesday.
"The inquiry was unable to determine the cause for the detection of Tapentadol (human pain relief medication), however, the stewards were satisfied that on balance the likely cause for the detection of Metformin was due to contamination via Mr Korn who was prescribed a medication containing Metformin," a Racing NSW statement said.
However, Korn's day turned for the better when new stablemate Uno Best delivered at Wellington on Tuesday.
Uno Best ($2.90) got the bob on the line against favourite Beeokay in an 1100m Handicap, making the long trek west worthwhile.
If the Slipper fits
The second-highest number of youngsters have been nominated for the Golden Slipper with Ciaron Maher Racing topping the list of entries with 133.
The Australian Turf Club has received 2435 nominations for the 2020 Slipper, 17 fewer than this time last year.
The $3.5 million Group One Golden Slipper at Rosehill on March 21 is the world's richest race for two-year-olds.
This year's race was a trifecta for Godolphin with the James Cummings-trained Kiamichi and Microphone first and second and the Anthony Freedman-trained Lyre third.
Cummings has entered 91 rising two-year-olds for 2020.
The Hayes family's Lindsay Park has the second highest entries with 125 ahead of Chris Waller Racing with 97.
Other leading trainers and stables with big numbers are Peter and Paul Snowden Racing (85), Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott (81) and Tony McEvoy (69)
Sires with the most first nominations include I Am Invincible (115), Written Tycoon (97), Snitzel (94), Sebring (80), Zoustar (76) and Vancouver (74).
with AAP
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