A back in form Howmuchdoyouloveme will head back to Grafton for a second Ramornie Handicap after taking out the Listed $80,000 Evergreen Turf Lightning Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm today.
Howmuchdoyouloveme has been out of the winner’s circle for five runs since winning at the Group 2 $220,000 Perri Cutten Caulfield Sprint (1100m) at Caulfield last October.
The smart sprinter was a clear cut winner the start before taking out the Listed $150,000 WHK Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton in July and now looks like returning to Grafton to defend his crown.
Brenton Avdulla made light of gate sixteen and let Howmuchdoyouloveme stride across to sit outside the leader.
Coming to the home turn Avdulla let the four year old slide to the front and he was able to hold off the fast finishing Delago Bolt who made up plenty of ground coming from the back of the field.
Avdulla said that Howmuchdoyouloveme would now be looking for further than the 1000m and the Ramornie would slot nicely into his preparation.
“A soft enough win. 1000m probably not his go, he hasn’t got that early toe any more and in time I reckon he’s going to develop into a seven furlong horse,” Avdulla said.
“I’m thinking another Ramornie might be the go. If he can get in well at the weights I’m sure 1200m, freshen up for the Ramornie will be ideal.”
Howmuchdoyouloveme was having his first run for Eagle Farm trainer Tina Cotsiopoulos, taking over from the suspended Kon Karakatsanis.