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By Rod Fuller

With the benefit of a strong performance at Tamworth last month, Athena Nyx is set to bounce back to the winner’s circle in the Class 2 Handicap on Master Builders Association Race Day at Port Macquarie on Friday.

The flashy chestnut broke her maiden status with a comprehensive victory over Civil War at the north west circuit last September and then doubled down when accounting for Champagne Tastes at Beaudesert a fortnight later.

Athena Nyx (Matthew Palmer) in winning form at Tamworth. Image by Bradley Photographers

Kris Lees assessed the daughter of Star Turn was above average and the leading Novocastrian mentor decided a trip to Doomben was a distinct possibility and this resulted in a solid fourth behind En Pointe in October before the filly was sent to the paddocks.

Athena Nyx returned to the track a month ago and was responsible for two useful barrier trials before working home well when beaten under two lengths in her spell resumption at Tamworth behind Acotango.

The filly normally races just off the pace but was shunted back through the pack before working home well down the centre of the home straight despite a chequered passage over the concluding stages.

With the run under her belt and the ability to handle rain-affected ground, Athena Nyx has bright prospects in the event and the engagement of Ash Morgan adds further confidence following recent success at the circuit.

Darci Diva has been weighted to her best but looks to provide the testing material following useful efforts at Port and a recent win at Grafton while Grandellie has been consistent and worked home well behind No Filter at the track last start.

Keen form students will be assessing the betting activities in the second event when Cosmetic makes his debut run for the Nathan Doyle stable following two recent provincial trials.

The son of Cable Bay made up many lengths in a recent hit-out at the Beaumont track when narrowly defeated by Flying Pharoah and will greatly benefit by the additional distance of Friday’s assignment with Miss Illuminate providing the stiffest opposition after a recent relocation from Victoria.

Heir Apparent has a wonderful record on his home track and the John Sprague trained gelding looks well placed in the SMP Fabrication Handicap following a sound effort when beaten under three lengths by Mr Tabasco at Coffs Harbour last start.

The Master Builders Association has been a wonderful supporter of racing at Port Macquarie and a big thanks goes to the associated sponsors including SMP Fabrication, Munday Constructions & Civil, Fastplast Building Supplies, Petries Mitre 10, North Eastern Door Frames, Coastal Commercial and Linings, Eastland Truss & Timber and Kennards Hire in the staging of the day’s action.

General admission tickets can be pre-booked on-line or purchased on raceday 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

There are plenty of great viewing and seating areas available with refreshment, dining and wagering facilities in full operation throughout the grounds and the club has introduced a new two and three-course dining menu with details appearing on the club’s website - portmacquarieraceclub.com.au

The Autumn Carnival continues with McGuigan BMW Raceday on Saturday 25th March with three big meetings in April culminating in the Hastings Business Women’s Network meeting on Sunday 23rd April.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12.59pm KENNARDS HIRE COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HCP (1500M): 1 Bjorn Ironside, 6 Infringement, 3 More Than Extra
Race 2 – 1.39pm EASTLAND TRUSS & TIMBER MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 3 Cosmetic, 10 Miss Illuminate, 9 Flute of Brut
Race 3 – 2.19pm MUNDAY CONSTRUCTIONS & CIVIL BM 58 HCP (1200M): 8 Single Touch, 5 Don’t Forget Dad, 4 Devil’s Inn
Race 4 – 2.59pm COASTAL COMMERCIAL LININGS MAIDEN HCP (1000M): 1 La Vesuvius, 4 Uncertain Terms, 3 Canny Prospect
Race 5 – 3.39pm FASTPLAST BUILDING SUPPLIES BM 58 HCP (2000M): 4 Twigman, 3 War Memorial, 1 Into the Oblivion
Race 6 – 4.19pm SMP FABRICATION COUNTRY BOOSTED BM 66 HCP (1000M): 6 Heir Apparent, 5 Poita, 7 Timely Bel
Race 7 – 4.59pm NE DOORFRAMES CL 2 HCP (1100M): 2 Athena Nyx, 1 Darci Diva, 8 Grandellie
Race 8 – 5.39pm PETRIES MITRE 10 CLASS 3 HCP (1500M): 8 Rockbarton Roman, 4 Hunter Bred, 1 Oakfield Storm

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