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Godolphin trainer John O’Shea is keeping a close watch on the Grafton weather maps for his Ramornie Handicap contender Barbed.

O’Shea is keen to send Barbed back to Grafton for next Wednesday’s $160,000 Crowe Horwath Ramornie (1200m) but will hesitate if the track is rain affected.

Barbed finished second on a firm track in last year’s Ramornie and O’Shea would prefer to see him racing on a similar surface again this year.

O’Shea has nominated Barbed and Mogador for the Ramornie and will wait until Monday morning prior to the declaration of the final field to finalise his plans.

Former champion jockey Darren Beadman, O’Shea’s assistant trainer, said Barbed doesn’t perform at his best on soft ground as he showed again when he resumed with a disappointing 11th in the Winter Dash (1200m) at Randwick on June 25.

"The soft track at Randwick really didn't suit," Beadman said.

"He just doesn't go on soft tracks. But he's pulled up really well from the run and there's plenty of improvement in him.”

Mogador, a lightly raced three-year-old, has raced consistently over the Brisbane carnival without a win.

The gelding filled placing in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes and G3 WJ Healy Stakes at his past two runs.

Beadman said Mogador was a victim of the barrier draw and biased Eagle Farm track in the Healy Stakes.

"He drew barrier one but on that track at Eagle Farm he was disadvantaged," Beadman said.

"He's been racing consistently and deserves his chance in a race like the Ramornie. He's another horse that needs it firm as well."

Fortunately the weather outlook for Grafton next week is fine right through to Thursday with temperatures as high as 25

Beadman said O’Shea was also planning to start Orujo in the $50,000 Sir James Kirby Sprint (1000m) and Malice in the $160,000 McKimms Real Estate Grafton Cup (2350m) at next week’s carnival.

Grant Buckley has been booked to ride Barbed in the Ramornie while Brenton Avdulla will partner the other Godolphin runners.

Malice has also been racing well in Brisbane and will step up in distance for the Grafton Cup after his last start third in the Tattersall’s Cup (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 25.

"His last run had a lot of merit as it was his first go beyond 1600 metres this campaign,” Beadman said.

“He loomed up to win but lack of match practice beat him. He's also come on good."