Wet weather in Queensland forced a change of plans for Ramornie-bound River Lad but trainer Natalie McCall says she is happy with how things have turned out.

McCall scratched River Lad from the Glasshouse Handicap at her home track on the Sunshine Coast on June 29 because she felt the heavy ground would be too taxing on the gelding.

"Being a local I know how bottomless it is and I just thought carrying 59kg over 1400 metres on that track would have gutted him," McCall said.

"Belltone loomed to win with the same weight but he couldn't go on with it so I'm glad I kept him at home."

The Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on Wednesday will be River Lad's final outing before McCall gives him a short break to freshen him up for black type races at Flemington during the spring carnival.

"Races like the Gilgai or Salinger would be something to aim at because Michael Cahill believes he'll be a three or four lengths better horse in a straight race at Flemington," McCall said.

In the Ramornie, River Lad will attempt to turn the tables on 2012 winner Howmuchdoyouloveme after finishing second to that gelding in the Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 22.

"There wasn't much between them last time and we meet him a kilo better in the Ramornie which should help us a bit," McCall said.

River Lad finished third to Howmuchdoyouloveme in last year's Ramornie but McCall is planning a different riding strategy on Wednesday.

"Last year we probably rode him a little bit upside down to keep close to Howmuchdoyouloveme because there was no other speed in the race," she said.

"We wouldn't have beaten the winner but he should have run second if we'd ridden him the way we normally do.

"With Adebisi and one or two other fast horses in the race this year to put a bit of pressure on Howmuchdoyouloveme we might be able to ride him the way he likes to race."

Howmuchdoyouloveme was a runaway winner of last year's Ramornie by 3-3/4 lengths carrying 54kg but is burdened with 60.5kg on Wednesday.

Regular rider Brenton Avdulla will be reunited with Howmuchdoyouloveme in the Ramornie after he missed the Healy ride through suspension.