Border Rebel has won races in Sydney and Brisbane but trainer Sue Grills has always had her eyes on a prize a little closer to his country origins.

The $150,000 Ramornie Handicap at Grafton next month is a race high on Grills' bucket list and the Tamworth trainer wants to erase the memory of Border Rebel's unplaced attempt in the race three years ago.

The sprinter has his final lead-up in the Winter Dash (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, a race Grills chose over the Group Three Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm in Brisbane which is headed by last year's Ramornie winner Howmuchdoyouloveme.

"I thought Sydney would be easier and it looked like it would be wetter," Grills said.

"He went really well at his last run and should run a good race.

"I'm told it's a heavy nine at Randwick which will suit him.

"After this he will go to the Ramornie. It's a race I really want to win.

"He ran in it in 2010 but he probably shouldn't have. He had a big weight and a bad barrier and it was wasn't a good race for him."

Border Rebel ran sixth under 60kg in the 2010 Ramornie won by Pinwheel after working hard to get across from barrier 10.

Although he is now a seven-year-old, Border Rebel has shown in his recent starts he can still mix it at stakes level.

He ran fourth, beaten just half a length in the Group Two QTC Cup on June 1, behind Galah, Conservatorium and Griffon after running third in the Listed Ortensia Sprint won by Satin Shoes at last month's Scone Cup carnival.

In a cramped market, Border Rebel was the $4.40 TAB fixed odds favourite on Friday ahead of Soledad and Oakfield Commands at $4.60.

The Chris Waller-trained Balavan has been scratched from the Winter Dash leaving Sydney's premier trainer with one less race to win on Saturday as he chases a Sydney record.

Gai Waterhouse joined her father TJ Smith on 156 Sydney winners in the 2002-03 season with Waller needing just three wins to set a new standard.

AAP TURF