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By Rod Fuller

There will be great interest surrounding the chances of Sassy Choice when the former Victorian takes her place in the Dux Hot Water Handicap on Fisher Plumbing Raceday at Port Macquarie on Saturday.

The daughter of Choisir is a recent arrival to the local stable of Paul Shailer following a successful campaign under the guidance of Archie Alexander which included a maiden victory at Horsham and strong performances at Kilmore and Kyneton.

The filly was in the market at her most recent southern appearance when settling off the speed before finishing fifth at Echuca behind Denim Wars after making good ground over the concluding stages.

It is significant that Shailer has elected one trial for Sassy Choice in preparation for the weekend assignment and this resulted in a narrow second at the Beaumont Track behind Narvaez.

Ben Looker [pictured left] made the trip to Newcastle to pilot filly in the trial and has retained the mount on Saturday and this could provide the added confidence for victory with Miss Marcie
providing the strongest competition following a decisive recent win at Grafton.

It could be a successful day for Shailer and Looker when the pair combine with Cherokee Cherry in the opening event following her consistent performances over the past couple of months.

The daughter of Perferment is deserving a win following recent placings at the circuit and worked home well after getting out of her ground when fourth behind Thunder Knob a fortnight ago.

Zac Waddick landed a double at Taree last week and the promising apprentice links up with the Shailer establishment aboard Vonstern in race two with the Astern filly expected to run well on debut following impressive trial efforts while Kiss Her is an each-way hope later in the day.

Followers of the Marc Quinn stable were rewarded at the previous Port meeting when Thunder Knob landed some confident wagers when leading throughout to score but the son of Nicconi has been provided a harder assignment in the Kembla Copper Handicap.

The handicapper has increased the gelding’s weight allocation by 6.5kg with Quinn wisely engaging Shayleigh Ingelse to the ride with the competent apprentice allowed a weight reduction.

The stable also has strong claims in the final event with Zapluck despite a question regarding whether the Pluck gelding will stay local or make the trip to Muswellbrook.

The course proper has recovered well from the inclement weather earlier in the year with officials closely monitoring the skies in the days leading up to the fixture. Limited reserved seating remains available inside the Ivan Livermore Stand with tables also available in the outside bar or betting ring.

There are great viewing and seating areas available with refreshment, dining and wagering facilities in full operation throughout the grounds with further information regarding reserved seating available by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.

Strong nominations received for the program has ensured a competitive day of racing with patrons able to follow all the action on the local card together with coverage of the major meetings around the country headed by Rosehill and black type racing from the Sunshine Coast.

The race meeting continues the club’s wonderful association with Fishers Plumbing and their associated naming rights sponsors which include Rinnai, Timberline, Dux Hot Water, Kembla Copper and Rheem. The next race meeting scheduled at the circuit is on Monday 1st August with a seven-event program offering prizemoney of $175,000 following a recent increase by Racing NSW.

A reminder the feature race meeting for the club is approaching rapidly with the $200,000 Carlton Dry Port Macquarie Cup highlighting a wonderful day of racing set for Friday 7th October. Massive prizemoney of $500,000 is up for grabs for the club’s premier meeting of the year with the cup shaping up as one of the best as it provides the opportunity for successful connections to contest the $2m Big Dance at Randwick in November.

The carnival will continue on Saturday with the annual Steeline fixture with a strong program catering for most classes of horses.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12.56pm RINNAI MAIDEN PLATE (1512M): 7 Cherokee Cherry, 4 Sandras, 10 Sistine Queen
Race 2 – 1.31pm TIMBERLINE MAIDEN HCP (1010M): 2 Vonstern, 12 Feeling Friskee, 1 Denarvi
Race 3 – 2.11pm FISHER'S PLUMBING PLUS MAIDEN PLATE (1210M): 3 Last Descend, 1 Golden Galaxy, 10 Waipio
Race 4 – 2.51pm DUX HOT WATER CLASS 1 HCP (1210M): 1 Sassy Choice, 6 Miss Marcie, 3 No Respect
Race 5 – 3.26pm KEMBLA COPPER BENCHMARK 50 HCP (1512M): 1 Thunder Knob, 3 Qukes, 6 Salty Rain
Race 6 – 4.06pm RHEEM BENCHMARK 50 HCP (1010M): 3 Zapluck, 1 Capanello, 5 Xtra Approval

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Port Macquarie here