Latest News

By Rod Fuller

Following a strong barrier recent trial performance and solid efforts when previously in work, Fearless Mila seems well placed to provide the festive cheer for supporters in the Harelec Solar Power Specialists New Year’s Day Cup at Port Macquarie on Friday.

The daughter of Helmet raced consistently in her spring campaign with placings at Dubbo and Tuncurry before being spelled after a narrow second behind Onemorechoice and Tamworth in late September.

Popular Wyong trainer, Damien Lane, gave the mare a recent trial at her home track when an even third behind Barossa Rosa in preparation for the meeting highlight and the engagement of claiming apprentice, Quin Yong, provides additional confidence.

With a good record when resuming from a spell and an ability to handle the anticipated rain-affected ground, there are plenty of positives around the chances of Fearless Mila for the assignment.

John Sprague would be striving to train the winner in the first feature of the year at his home training base and will saddle up Maid Marilyn as a definite chance in the event. The Stratum mare wasn’t disgraced at Armidale two starts ago against similar company before being beaten around three lengths at Taree on exceptionally heavy ground at her most recent appearance.

The engagement of Ray Spokes will enhance the chances of Maid Marilyn while Equaspecial and Trumps In are considered prospects according to astute form students.

Brooke Somers makes the journey from her Hawkesbury base with Equaspecial and the well-travelled gelding has been racing well in recent outings while Trumps In has amassed victories at Tamworth and Kempsey prior to an even performance when fifth at Gunnedah behind Bryan’s Babe.

Red Intuition looks set to break his maiden status for Hilary Dew in the Harelec Offgrid Handicap following a strong second behind Fenerbache at Coffs Harbour while a repeat of her luckless second behind Fantastic Baby at Taree should provide Razano with success in race four.

Please be advised that strong demand has resulted in all inside reserved seating being fully booked out although outside reserved seating remains available. Contact Port Macquarie Race Club office for more information on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au

General admission tickets remain available on the day and there is no need to pre-purchase with all patrons required to use the QR Code system to gain entry. Everyone is encouraged to download the Services NSW app prior to attending to make things easier and plenty of seating is available with the undercover outdoor areas in operation together with wagering, dining and bar facilities.

The Port racetrack remains a COVID-19 safe venue and it is important to follow all the procedures and guidelines applicable with any person who is a resident or visitor affected by Sydney’s northern beaches lockdown, unable to gain admission.

Gates open at Noon and entry is $10 with punters unable to attend still encouraged to follow all the action live from the Port meeting and supporting programs around Australia through the screens of Sky Racing and comprehensive wagering facilities continue to be provided by Tabcorp.

Heavy rain in the days leading up to the meeting has caused a downgrading of the track rating, but a strong covering of grass together with a break in the weather should provide a competitive day of racing on a surface providing every runner with an even chance to shine.

The club would like to acknowledge the continued raceday support provided by Harelec and Stowe Electrical and look forward to entertaining their management and staff throughout the day. It is also great to welcome back the team from Barbers on Murray and the club is greatly appreciative of their sponsorship and encourages all patrons to look up their premises at Shop 1 /3 Murray Street.

Racing continues with an eight-event program on Friday 8th January with the culmination of the summer carnival being the running of the $60,000 Queen of the North Handicap, one of the blue-ribbon events on the club’s calendar, to be conducted on Friday 22nd January.

President, Greg Delaforce and the Committee of Port Macquarie Race Club would like to wish everyone the very best for a safe, happy and successful New Year and it is onward and upward for a far better 2021 than we have endured over the previous 12 months.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 1.35pm PORT’S NUMBER 1 BARBERS ON MURRAY MDN PLATE (1100M):
8 Coastal Charm, 9 Par Avion, 7 Zoffdacharts
Race 2 – 2.10pm HARELEC OFFGRID MDN HCP (1500M):
8 Red Intuition, 4 So Commanding, 2 Jingxi
Race 3 – 2.45pm STOWE ELECTRICAL BM50 HCP (1500M):
3 Gwennybegg, 4 Prince of Braemar, 1 Lord Jaysea
Race 4 – 3.20pm BARBERS ON MURRAY CL 1 HCP (1500M):
5 Razano, 4 Random Factor, 7 Firefly Poppy
Race 5 – 4.00pm HARELEC SOLAR POWER SPECIALISTS NEW YEAR'S CUP CL 3 (1200M):
8 Fearless Mila, 3 Maid Marilyn, 2 Equaspecial
Race 6 – 4.48pm HARELEC REMOTE AREA POWER BM50 HCP (1100M):
2 Dream Song, 8 Maasai Mara, 4 Grand Acheeva

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