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By Rod Fuller

With Bjorn Ironside finishing runner-up at Tamworth on Country Championships Day yesterday, trainer Colt Prosser has a great chance to take out the Carlton Dry Handicap with Kaihoko at Port Macquarie on Tuesday.

The prominent Wauchope mentor has Kaihoko firing at present and returns to the local circuit at his third run from an extended break following an impressive win in Highway company at Canterbury Park three weeks ago.

The son of Dundeel raced in strong company when previously in work and this was highlighted by a good performance behind Rapt in the Grafton Guineas before being defeated by Victory Roll at Randwick last July.

Wauchope-based trainer Colt Prosser. Image by Toowoomba Chronicle

Prosser seems to have found the key to the flashy bay gelding, and this was highlighted by three impressive trials before resuming with an even third behind Zaru in the Country Championships Preview at Taree.

Tommy Sherry positioned Kaihoko in the middle of the pack before finishing over the top of She Within and A Pound of Salt at his recent Canterbury success and the engagement of Luke Rolls for Tuesday’s assignment provides further confidence.

The popular north coast hoop is enjoying a purple patch of form following victories at Armidale and a recent riding double at Tuncurry and has come a long way in his riding career from an initial success on Palace Gates at Trentham in 2003.

It is shaping up as a good day on paper for the former New Zealand rider who has live chances peppered throughout the program with many involving his life partner, Cassandra Schmidt.

Sweet Marlene deserves to break her maiden status for the Schmidt and Rolls combination in the Brookvale Union Handicap after five placings which included a recent second at Taree behind El Beatle while the pair hope Highland Mirage can salute in the following event.

After enjoying a successful day at the recent Port race meeting, Matthew Smith returns from his Warwick Farm training base with many chances headed by Sweet Patriot in the opening race.

The daughter of Starspangledbanner will benefit from the recent metropolitan barrier trial in preparation for the hit out and should be extremely competitive following even efforts around leading country tracks.

Honey Perfume is having her debut run on the local circuit but put the writing on the wall when finishing strongly behind Listens Lass at Scone last month in preparation for the assignment in the following event.

De Louviere broke his maiden status in dashing fashion at Gosford a fortnight ago and makes the step to the next level in in the Panthers Class 1 Plate and should be a distinct each-way chance despite drawing the widest barrier.

All three gallopers will be partnered by Mollie Fitzgerald who continues to ride winners around the state, and this was highlighted when the popular apprentice was crowned with the 2025 Rising Star Award.

Brett Dodson makes the journey from his Coffs Harbour training base and has very good chances on the program headed by Miss Midas Touch in the Maiden Plate after the Husson filly was narrowly defeated by Hallonic at her home track last week.

There is plenty of confidence around the chances of Miss Mazerati in the final race and Dodson has utilised the apprentice claim provided by Nick Palmer to alleviate the weight impost for the last start Coffs winner.

With Cyclone Alfred having a detrimental effect on many race meetings over the past week, the club accepted the challenge to provide two additional races on the card and are very satisfied with the consolidation and racing pattern of the newly laid course proper.

Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes to everyone affected by the current cyclonic weather conditions that have caused havoc in northern NSW and Southeast Queensland.

Port Macquarie Race Club would like to acknowledge the continued support provided by great local establishments including Tabcorp, Brookvale Union, McGuigan BMW, Coastal Hire, Port Panthers, TMR Refrigeration, Fairdinkum Flooring, Carlton Dry and Hire Port.

All are reminded that McGuigan BMW Raceday is set to provide an outstanding program of racing action on Saturday 29th March with details regarding general admission tickets and reserved seating in the Ivan Livermore Stand are available by contacting Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or email admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au

SELECTIONS
Race 1 - 1:00PM TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN PLATE (1206M): 8 Sweet Patriot, 2 Fiction Society, 5 Cugat Queen
Race 2 - 1:35PM BROOKVALE UNION MAIDEN HCP (1006M): 1 Honey Perfume, 2 Best Defence, 4 Sweet Marlene
Race 3 - 2:10PM MCGUIGAN BMW RACEDAY 29 MARCH CTRY MDN PLATE (1509M): 12 Miss Midas Touch, 2 Highland Mirage, 9 Acireale Jayne
Race 4 - 2:45PM COASTAL HIRE COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1509M): 9 Next Pay Run, 1 Laizabout, 4 Tsunoda
Race 5 – 3:25PM PANTHERS PORT MACQUARIE CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1812M): 4 Secret Keeper, 3 De Louviere, 5 Bellascent
Race 6 - 4:05PM TMR REFRIGERATION CLASS 1 HCP (1206M): 12 Naughty Nurse, 3 Calido Magic, 4 Exceed the Sky
Race 7 - 4:40PM FAIRDINKUM FLOORING CLASS 3 HCP (1006M): 6 Boambee Beach, 1 Jewels Statement, 5 Floss’s One
Race 8 – 5:15PM CARLTON DRY 3.5% BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1206M): 4 Kaihoko, 8 Critical Time, 11 Taking the Mikki
Race 9 - 5:50PM HIRE PORT BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1106M): 2 Miss Mazerati, 3 Prince Kuro, 5 Aye Aye Skipper

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