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By Rod Fuller

With two strong placings since arriving from Victoria, Launch Sequence is ready to fire in the Fairdinkum Floring Maiden Handicap on Beach Party Raceday at Port Macquarie on Friday.

The son of Brazen Beau has been a welcome acquisition from the Matthew Ellerton stable in Melbourne and debuted for the astute Glen Milligan training establishment at Tuncurry early last month.

After settling on the speed, the bay gelding was far from disgraced when claimed on the line by Amarone and this was followed up with a further second placing at Taree behind Pal’s Reign when defeated by under a length after attracting strong betting support.

Taree-based trainer Glen Milligan with his mum Margaret. Image by Manning River Times

It is significant that stable apprentice, Teighan Worsnop, has been engaged to continue her association with Launch Sequence after partnering with him in both starts since the relocation.

Worsnop has been a revelation in the north coast riding ranks since arriving as key apprentice for the Milligan stable and the promising young hoop has developed a solid partnership in recent months.

After seven recent victories over the past six weeks at North Coast and Newcastle tracks together with a polished display when steering Queen of a Hand to a Coffs Harbour win for the stable last week, the appointment should provide further confidence.

With an ability to settle on the speed providing an asset depending on the early pattern of racing at the circuit, Launch Sequence has good credentials to break his maiden status in the event.

The interesting runner in the race is Valilee with the Jake Hull-trained gelding debuting after two sound recent barrier trials aon the Beaumont Track and at Hawkesbury with a recommendation to follow betting operations when assessing the chances of the son of Adelaide.

As Think We’re There is not expected to back up after finishing fourth to Sounds Unusual in the Super Maiden at Canterbury on New Year’s Day, Dunaloce has solid claims in the ZMann Constructions Plate following a good second behind Rahaan at her most recent Port appearance.

The daughter of Dundeel is returning from an eight week break and has been a great money spinner for the Newcastle stable of Nathan Doyle stable with placings at Newcastle before her previous spell.

The ability to travel just behind the leaders together with the recent experience around the Port circuit should prove advantageous when assessing the chances of Dunaloce.

Other gallopers given a chance in the race include Stand in Line who was narrowly beaten by Nothing’s Sacred at Kempsey a fortnight ago while Sun Topaze is a recent winner at Lismore.

Bold Hoi Ho is weighted to his best with 62kg in the Port City Bowling Club Handicap following a comprehensive win at Grafton two starts ago and backs up from a determined placing behind Wild Chap in the Christmas Cup at Lismore.

The pattern of racing for the recent performance did not suit the son of Niagara and it is significant to note there is some weight relief with the appointment of Mitch Stapleford who claims 1.5kg.

The promising apprentice is enjoying a purple patch of riding success following wins at Wyong and Scone before piloting Sir Remlap to victory in Highway company at Randwick last week.

Sally Taylor also continues to notch up winners from her Coffs Harbour training base and has been patiently looking for suitable races for the bay gelding over the past few weeks.

Named after a city in Sicily, Acireale Jayne is well-placed to break through in the opening event following recent placings at Kempsey and Coffs Harbour and should provide just reward for Robert Agnew as the popular local mentor continues a successful run with his relatively small team.

Highland Mirage provides a safe investment in the second race after the new arrival to the Cassie Schmidt establishment was narrowly defeated by Bellascent in a blanket finish at Kempsey last start while Bohdi Boy is poised to capitalise from a recent Kempsey success in the following event.

The clash of Calido Magic, Diamondsaremio and Missile Charm in race six is most intriguing and provides great depth when assessing form for future events.

Diamondsaremio saluted recently at Ballina and Kempsey while Calido Magic is racing consistently and does have a weight advantage on his opponent with Missile Charm returning to the track following a victory at Tuncurry a month ago.

With so many visitors enjoying the holiday period, the club has decided to make the meeting a themed event called the Hawaiian Beach Party Raceday with everyone encouraged to get into the mood by donning Hawaiian Shirts and enjoy the festivities.

Further information regarding bookings and other details are available by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.

A reminder the Port Macquarie Panthers Queen of the North race meeting is one of the club’s most prestigious events on the racing calendar and is scheduled for Friday 24th January with the feature for fillies and mares worth $65,000.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 - 1:15PM MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS COUNTRY MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 8 Acireale Jayne, 6 Magic Shannon, 1 Gigaton
Race 2 - 1:50PM PANTHERS QUEEN OF THE NORTH 24 JAN MAIDEN PLATE (1500M): 1 Highland Mirage, 8 Not My Problem, 2 Wing Nut
Race 3 - 2:25PM TAB.COM.AU COUNTRY CLASS 1 HCP (1100M): 7 Bodhi Boy, 1 Mr Damage, Amarone
Race 4 - 3:05PM FAIRDINKUM FLOORING MAIDEN HCP (1000M): 2 Launch Sequence, 14 Tokyo Lady, 1 Valilee
Race 5 - 3:40PM ZMANN CONSTRUCTIONS CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1800M): 5 Dunaloce, 3 Stand in Line, Sun Topaze
Race 6 - 4:15PM GLAM CAM BOOTH BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1200M): 4 Calido Magic, 2 Diamondsaremio, 9 Missile Charm
Race 7 - 4:50PM PORT CITY BOWLING CLUB BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1500M): 1 Bold Hoi Ho, 2 Edge of Reward, 5 Five Rings
Race 8 - 5:25PM YOUR PAINTER & DECORATOR BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000M): 8 Whitsunday Session, 11 Once a Lady, 12 Provencal

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