Latest News

By Rod Fuller

With decisive recent victories at the circuit under his belt and conditions made to measure, Heir Apparent is poised to take the next step in the Janice Avery Memorial Handicap at Port Macquarie on Sunday.

The son of Cable Bay broke his maiden status in comprehensive fashion when accounting for Elite Quality by just under three lengths before defeating Honour the Crown in class one company a fortnight later.

Despite the weekend assignment providing the stiffest test to date, John Sprague has the former Victorian gelding racing in great fashion and the prospect of rain-affected track conditions together with a suitable distance should provide plenty of confidence for a forward showing.

Ray Spokes has been engaged for the mount after the popular Coffs Harbour hoop enjoyed an extremely successful Port Cup carnival and this should further bolster the chances of Heir Apparent.

The major dangers centre around Uzziah with the Scott Aspery-trained gelding responsible for a solid win over Velvet Haze at Muswellbrook a fortnight ago while Angela and Jenny Graham have strong representation.

In a race honouring the memory of the family matriarch, Run Rory Run spearheads the chances for Angela Graham after a narrow victory over Gold Card at the track a month ago while Leica Bita Fun is resuming from a spell with a recent barrier trial placing under his belt.

Pendleton is the sole entrant for the Jenny Graham stable and was responsible for strong victories at Tamworth when previously in work, with the Astern gelding benefiting from a recent trial appearance in preparation for the assignment.

The opening race provides one of the highlights on the program with the rematch between Ocean Flyer and Double Memory following the pair’s exciting clash on Port cup day.

Double Memory has been a model of consistency and looked the winner down the home straight before being claimed in the shadows of the post by Ocean Flyer with a significant weight advantage providing the Wayne Wilkes-trained gelding a great chance to turn the tables.

Velvet Haze is a filly on the rise and provides a sound investment in the Athol Platt Memorial following a sound placing at Muswellbrook behind Uzziah following a recent spell resumption.

The meeting perpetuates the memory of four fine local racing personalities with the feature race being the Athol Platt Memorial, named in honour of the former trust president and spearhead for the reconstruction of the new Port Macquarie track and facilities in 1967.

Other races on the program pay tribute to former champion local jockey, Col Foster, and a man who dedicated his life to racing in the Port Macquarie and Wauchope districts, Stephen Cook.

Janice Avery joins the honour roll for the meeting with the local racing identity a wonderful supporter of the club and the racing industry with her memory living on through the training feats of Jenny and Angela Graham.

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

Following the outstanding success of the recent cup carnival, other races on the card recognise the continued support provided by Carlton & United Breweries through their brand names of Carlton Dry and Great Northern Super Crisp together with the sponsorship of John Oxley Motors.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 1.45pm CARLTON DRY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2012M): 1 Duble Memory, 3 Ocean Flyer, 7 Love Loch
Race 2 – 2.20pm JOHN OXLEY MOTORS MAIDEN PLATE (1506M): 12 Leipzig, 10 World Atlas, 5 Golden Button
Race 3 – 2.55pm GREAT NORTHERN SUPER CRISP COUNTRY MAIDEN HCP (1106M): 8 Elite Quality, 3 De Lovely Lad, 9 Let’sgetridiculous
Race 4 – 3.35pm ATHOL PLATT MEMORIAL BM 58 HCP (1106M): 8 Velvet Haze, 1 Buck Pharoah, 5 Nevada Smoke
Race 5 – 4.10pm COL FOSTER MEMORIAL CLASS 1 HCP (1006M): 1 Geewiz Johnny, 3 Clifton Springs, 6 Alibi Dot Com
Race 6 – 4.55pm JANICE AVERY MEMORIAL CLASS 3 HCP (1206M): 5 Heir Apparent, 3 Uzziah, 8 Run Rory Run
Race 7 – 5.30pm STEPHEN COOK MEMORIAL COUNTRY BOOSTED BM 58 HCP (1506M): 4 Cubic Zirconia, 6 Apache Red, 5 Barry’s Lane

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