Andrew Adkins has won his first Ramornie Handicap and Peter Snowden his sixth courtesy of a determined effort from Ka Bling.
Peter and Paul Snowden have set themselves up to become the first trainers in almost 50 years to win Grafton's two showpiece races in the same year after capturing the Listed Ramornie Handicap with Ka Bling.
Roy Hinton was the last conditioner to claim the feature double with Swiftly Ann and Ontonic in 1976, and with Team Snowden's Touristic a $5.50 second favourite for Thursday's Grafton Cup (2350m), the trainers have put themselves in a strong position to break the drought.
Ka Bling started a $19 chance in Wednesday's sprint and after trailing the speed for Andrew Adkins, he surged between horses late to nail Bacchanalia in the final bounds.
It was Peter Snowden's sixth Ramornie Handicap (1200m) win following victories by Pinwheel, Jerezana, Calanda, Signore Fox and Ranges, the last three of those achieved in partnership with Paul.
"It has been a great race to us and to win it for the sixth time is very satisfying," Peter Snowden said.
"He is one that has kept on improving with every preparation. He was an average horse as a two and three-year-old, but he has got through to stakes level and to win a race like the Ramornie is a great reward for him."
Snowden was also thrilled for Adkins, who has had a luckless and frustrating run with injury throughout his career.
"It is a good kick-along for Andy [Adkins] to get that win," he said.
"It was a good ride and the horse was very tough."
Former Godolphin galloper Bacchanalia ($51) almost pulled off a major upset in what was his best performance in three starts for new trainer Richard Litt, while the winner's stablemate Tashi ($8) was third.
Pereille started a $1.95 favourite to give James Cummings his first Ramornie Handicap but got a long way back before making late headway to finish fifth.
