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By Rod Fuller

Following a sound placing at Taree just before Christmas, Oh Say is poised to provide the festive cheer in the Harelec Solar Power Specialists New Year’s Day Cup at Port Macquarie on Saturday.

With the curtain falling on a challenging year for the Godbolt stable, the daughter of Starspangledbanner deserves the top weight in the club’s feature and should provide a welcome change of fortune for connections.

The flashy chestnut was responsible for a solid second behind Hello Sunshine when beaten just over two lengths at Taree a couple of weeks ago and Neil Godbolt elected to accept for the local event instead of travelling down the highway in the Harrington Cup two days later.

Port Macquarie-based trainer Neil Godbolt

This could have something to do with the mare’s imposing record at her home circuit of four starts for two win and the same number of placings with the engagement of Grant Buckley providing added confidence.

Buckley has the necessary experience to provide great benefit to Oh Say with the popular hoop well positioned to increase his riding premiership statistics for the season which currently sits at 34 wins and over 90 placings.

Cool Missile was far from disgraced two runs ago on the Beaumont Track and could provide the main challenge to Oh Say with the Dale Wagstaff-trained mare currently undefeated around the Port track after two appearances.

Oakfield Target is resuming from a spell of three months and the Dundeel gelding needs to be considered after a creditable barrier trial victory in preparation for the weekend assignment.

Thunder Knob was scratched from the Coffs Harbour meeting on Thursday and the decision by local mentor, Marc Quinn, should prove successful in the opening event on the program while London Ruler has been racing consistently and deserves victory in the Harelec Solar Services Maiden Plate.

The Barry Ratcliff stable scored a dominant win with Markievicz during the week, and this could translate to further success for the Kempsey trainer when The Civilian takes her place in the fifth event on the program.

The daughter of Epaulette has been a model of consistency over the previous couple of months and Ray Spokes has been riding with immense success in recent times and continues his association with the filly.

The Port complex remains a COVID-19 safe venue and everyone is required to check in using the Services NSW QR Code system or manually sign in to gain admission. General admission tickets can be pre-booked or purchased on raceday with further information available by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on (02) 6581 1964 or email - admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au

Inside reserved seating has been sold out, but tables are available for the general public in the outside bar or betting ring with refreshment, dining and wagering facilities in full operation throughout the grounds.

Masks are mandatory for all staff and patrons inside buildings with correct hygiene and social distancing required together with the following of directions by Covid-19 Officials. Anyone who is experiencing cold/flu-like symptoms, awaiting Covid-19 test results or has been in a high-risk area will not be admitted to the track.

The club would like to acknowledge the continued raceday support provided by Harelec Port Macquarie and it is also great to welcome back the team from Will Kara Barbers on Murray with all patrons encouraged to look up their premises at Shop 1 /3 Murray Street.

Racing continues with McGrath Estate Agents Race Day on Friday 7th January with the culmination of the summer carnival being the running of the $65,000 Gemlife Rainbow Beach Queen of the North Handicap, one of the blue-ribbon events on the club’s calendar, scheduled for Friday 21st 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 2022 than we have endured over the previous two years.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 1.41pm HARELEC OFFGRID MAIDEN HCP (1500M): 10 Thunder Knob, 6 Krayzelburg, 1 Oakfield Pinto
Race 2 – 2.17pm PORTS NUMBER 1 BARBER ON MURRAY MAIDEN PLATE (1100M): 6 Shadie Milly, 9 Queen of Elegance, 8 Nibiana
Race 3 – 2.52pm HARELEC SOLAR SERVICES MAIDEN PLATE (1100M): 2 London Ruler, 3 Maverick Henry, 9 Press Freedom
Race 4 – 3.32pm CHEERS BOB BENCHMARK 50 HCP (1500M): 5 Razano, 7 Stella Reale, 8 Za Za Zena
Race 5 – 4.12pm WILL KARA BARBERS ON MURRAY CL 1 HCP (1500M): 9 The Civilian, 1 I Want One, 2 No Respect
Race 6 – 4.52pm HARELEC SOLAR POWER SPECIALISTS NEW YEAR'S DAY CUP CL 3 HCP (1200M): 1 Oh Say, 4 Cool Missile, 2 Oakfield Target
Race 7 – 5.32pm HARELEC REMOTE AREA POWER BENCHMARK 50 HCP (1100M): 6 Xtra Approval, 3 Bay of Bengal, 11 Red Cupcake

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