Latest News

By Brenton Le Grand

Fresh off a dominant win by Ednablue at Muswellbrook on Monday, Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan heads to Port Macquarie this Friday with three live chances to continue her strong start to the racing season.

Buchanan kicks off proceedings with her lightly-raced Star Witness gelding Hubble ($21 on TAB fixed odds) in the Watpac Construction CG&E Maiden Showcase Plate over 1200m.

“He is second-up this Friday, and ran very well second-up last campaign,” Buchanan said.

“It’s a Country Showcase meeting so the prizemoney on offer is excellent, and hopefully Serg (Lisnyy) can get him into a nice spot in running from gate eight.”

Kristen Buchanan [pictured left] then saddles up debutant Bid’N’Bare ($15) in the JR Richards & Sons F&M Maiden Showcase Plate over 1200m.

The four-year-old Smart Missile mare is having her first start following some strong trials at Cessnock, Scone and Gosford.

“We’ve taken our time with this mare, but her last trial at Gosford showed us that she is ready for the races now,” Buchanan said. “We’ve drawn fantastic in gate one, and Jeff Kehoe has ridden her in all three trials so knows her well.”

Perhaps Buchanan’s best chance on the card is Traumatised ($5) in the Winning Edge Presentations Class 2 Showcase Handicap over 1000m. The five-year-old Choisir gelding has drawn awkwardly in gate 10, but looks to be right in the race following some handy efforts last campaign.

“He is just so honest this horse,” Buchanan said. “He’s never finished further back than fourth and never been beaten more than three lengths. He’s been a great money-spinner for connections and I’m really happy with him coming into this event.”

The racing action doesn’t end there for the Buchanan camp with runners also nominated for Port Macquarie Saturday and Tamworth Monday.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Port Macquarie's Country Showcase meeting here