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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Graeme Murray was left to lament what might have been as things didn’t go to script for Rafha’s Choice when he ventured to Canterbury two weeks ago.

But buoyed by a herculean performance, a wet track and the recent form of jockey Tommy Berry he’s confident the gelding will have his chance to atone in the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1250m) on Wednesday.

“I was happy as I could be without winning but the horse pulled up well so I thought it was a nice race to head to,’’ Kembla Grange based Murray said.

“He got hampered at the start a little bit then our plans went out the window a bit. He’s an on pace runner and after he jumped we were back last.’’

As the gates opened the five-year-old was on the back foot and found himself last before apprentice Jean Van Overmeire elected to stride around them and he was four wide attacking the leaders on the turn.

In a driving finish he finished a close fourth behind Medovina.

Rafha’s Choice runs an unlucky fourth at Canterbury on May 22

Punter’s Intelligence sectional data showed Rafha’s Choice had to work hard early running 10.48 from the 1000m-800m and 10.97 from the 800m-600m.

That race was restricted to apprentice riders and Murray had no hesitation in locking Berry back in following their win under 63.5kg at the Wagga carnival last month.

“I re-engaged Tommy, he rode him very well at Wagga,’’ Murray said.

“I’ve supported Tommy all his life and I like to have him on every time if I have horse going to town that’s going to be competitive.

“It’s a very similar race he went around in last time and he can handle dry or heavy going, he’s a versatile horse.’’

Rafha’s Choice, $4.40 with TAB, was a Rosehill winner as a two-year-old but missed almost two years due to and injury that kept him out longer than Murray expected.

He had a cyst removed from a stifle, it was meant to be a six to nine month break but it cost him 18 months.

“He took his time getting back to the track, he had a few little issues, and the last year and a half he’s been racing consistently,’’ Murray said.

“He rarely puts in a bad one, you like to have horses like him. He tries every time he goes around.’’

Meanwhile, Murray said he's rapt that Kembla Grange has been included in the expanded spring carnival program announced on Tuesday.

Kembla will host the $1m The Gong (1600m) on November 23 as part of a standalone metropolitan Saturday meeting.

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting