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By Rod Fuller

Following a triumphant resumption from a spell at fortnight ago, Éclair Vitality is poised to further success in the Class 1 Handicap at Port Macquarie on Monday.

Victory at Scone was well deserved as the Matthew Smith trained gelding had been extremely competitive when previously in work and the astute Warwick Farm mentor provided two barrier trials in preparation for attempt to break his maiden status.

After launching along the rails in the home straight, Éclair Vitality raced clear from Tosmian and Slam Dunk over the concluding stages to score a comprehensive win by just under three lengths after the six-month break.

Trainer Matthew Smith

The flashy bay is Japanese bred and possesses speed bloodlines centring around his sire, Lord Kanaloa, who was rated the tenth best sprinter in the world in 2012 and a winner of the 2013 Hong Kong Sprint.

Following his victory in this prestigious event, the Racing Post rated Lord Kanaloa the joint-third best racehorse of the year, behind Treve and Wise Dan, and level with Black Caviar and Toronado.

That year he was named the Japanese Horse of the Year and was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2018.

With this sprinting heritage under his belt, it is significant the stable has engaged Ben Looker for the mount with the prominent hoop enjoying a great run of success following recent victories at Walcha, Quirindi, Lismore and Armidale.

The road to success won’t be an easy task as Our Emily makes a reappearance to the Port circuit following an impressive debut win over Best Defence on Mid North Coast Championship Day.

The John Bannister trained filly has a weight advantage over Éclair Vitality due to the engagement of Siena Grima with the promising apprentice providing an allowance which could prove decisive.

It has been a meteoric rise for Grima who has an impressive strike rate of fifty-nine wins and 117 placings since riding her first winner at Deepwater this time last year and highlighted by success in feature races at Armidale and Kempsey.

Other chances in the event include She’s a Bad Girl with Damien Lane making the journey from his Wyong training base with the consistent mare while El Beatle should not be dismissed following his recent Taree win.

Spiethtacular should provide the testing material in the Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate following a narrow second behind Deep Stealth at Ballina a fortnight ago and the appointment of Aaron Bullock on the flashy chestnut filly provides further confidence.

Highland Mirage deserves to break through in the Paradox Media Country Maiden Handicap after a solid second behind Haze on the Beaumont track last month while the following race is the most open on the program.

All Hunky Dory has been somewhat of a revelation since relocating from Hong Kong with the new scenery of the Adam Duggan stable resulting in consecutive wins at Taree over the summer period.

Unfortunately, the son of Exceed and Excel has been weighted to his best although this has been alleviated by the apprentice claim of Millie Thompson with Spiritly, Corpsman and Otium all having strong form in the lead up to the assignment.

The most interesting runner on the card is Sebastian’s Flyer in the John Oxley Motors Handicap with the Theresa Bateup trained gelding having strong credentials following recent placings at Sapphire Coast and Wagga.

The son of Spieth is the only runner for the Bateup establishment, and the hard-working Kembla Grange mentor is known to travel around the state looking for suitable races for her thoroughbred team as indicated by recent wins at Albury, Sapphire Coast and Warwick Farm.

The Port Macquarie Race Club would like to acknowledge the continued support provided by club members together with great local establishments including John Oxley Motors, Tabcorp, Char Bar Catering and Paradox Media.

Greg Wyndham has been a wonderful stalwart of the club for many years including his role as trackwork supervisor and all in racing wish the popular local personality the absolute best for a speedy recovery from illness.

Racing continues at the track with a strong meeting scheduled for Tuesday 11th March and a reminder that McGuigan BMW Race Day is set to provide an outstanding program of racing action on Saturday 29th March.

Further details regarding general admission tickets and reserved seating in the Ivan Livermore Stand for these fixtures are available by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.

Selections:
Race 1 - 8 Wobbly Boot, 5 Alby’s Mate, 4 Wild Sensation
Race 2 - 9 Spiethtacular, 3 Tosmian, 7 Dubai Darling
Race 3 - 1 Éclair Vitality, 5 Our Emily, 4 She’s a Bad Girl
Race 4 - 7 Highland Mirage, 2 Battle Reign, 1 Einstein’s Theory
Race 5 - 4 Spiritly, 5 Corpsman, 1 All Hunky Dory
Race 6 - 8 Sebastian’s Flyer, 6 Enterprise Private, 2 Nothing’s Sacred
Race 7 - 1 Starry Jack, 7 Typhoon Neta, 4 Rommel’s Wolf

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Randwick