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By Rod Fuller

Following an outstanding second behind Hydrazine in The Jackal feature at Grafton two weeks ago, Patriot ($2.40 favourite on TAB fixed odds) looks to be the standout runner in the Oxyoptia Open Handicap at Port Macquarie on Friday.

The Reward for Effort gelding positioned well back on the home turn and came with a strong run down the outside to be beaten only half a length on that occasion with a repetition of the effort providing plenty of confidence for the Port assignment.

Form prior includes a successful resumption over Neretva at his home track following a spell of five months and his astute trainer, John Sprague, looks to continue his recent run of success.

It is significant that the stable has engaged the services of champion jockey, Robert Thompson, for the ride and Patriot should be greatly assisted by being allowed a quiet early journey before using the advantage of finishing quickly down the outside in the home straight.

Dangers in the event look to be the Margaret De Gonneville-trained gelding, Golden Comet ($3.30), who was narrowly defeated by Shelley Beach Road in a similar class event last month while Wewonya ($18) is back to a more suitable race than recent assignments.

Lobban Hood ($4.20) is facing her most difficult assignment for Taree trainer, Robert Barnes, but is a mare on the rise following recent victories at Taree and Grafton.

The Dane Fever mare was impressive when accounting for Illia at her last start three weeks ago and plenty of form students will be keen to gauge how Lobban Hood acquits herself on Friday.

The program opens with a maiden event and the Brett Cavanough-trained gelding, Sunday Patrol ($9), is facing the starter for the first time following steady trial performances at Muswellbrook and Newcastle.

It is significant the stable has engaged the services of Andrew Gibbons for the ride with a close analysis of market activities set to provide a pointer regarding the chances for the son of Fast and Famous.

The following race provides a strong clash between Direct Vision ($3.60) and Autumn Rain ($2.60 fav) with both possessing strong credentials to break their maiden status.

Both are lightly-raced youngsters with Direct Vision’s last run for trainer, Kristen Buchanan, resulting in a sound third behind The Cyprian at Scone with Autumn Rain debuting for a narrow second in the same event.

Campari Soda ($3.70) deserves to break through for success in the fourth event for Barry Ratcliff following recent placings at Port and Grafton while Good Excuse ($9.50) looks well placed in the Class 2 following a good run behind Editors a fortnight ago.

The assignment for the Strada filly won’t be easy as Foxy’s Foxinator ($3.50) and Dew Drop ($19) look set to provide the stiffest opposition following strong recent performances in the district.

The program concludes with Can I Rock ($3.30 fav) earning topweight following an encouraging performance at Newcastle behind Gunnaza.

Port Macquarie Race Club is delighted to acknowledge the support of Oxyoptia, who are leaders in the field of digital signage and software solutions, together with Carlton and United Breweries, Schweppes, John Oxley Motors, Barrier Signs, Prime Local News, De Bortoli Wines and tab.com.au in the staging of the program.

The eight-event program commences at 12.15pm and the prospect of fine weather should ensure improving track conditions with large crowd of holidaymakers expected to take advantage of the first-class trackside facilities on offer.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 - TAB.COM.AU 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1006 METRES)
1 Sunday Patrol, 2 Dansk Havn, 5 Rebecca’s Quest
Race 2 - DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN PLATE (1506 METRES)
5 Direct Vision, 8 Autumn Flash, 6 In Fiore
Race 3 - BARRIER SIGNS CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2012 METRES)
3 Marcellina, 1 Boston Blues, 2 Luddenham Lass
Race 4 - PRIME LOCAL NEWS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1206 METRES)
2 Campari Soda, 6 Airlie Avenue, 9 Sizzling Suzanne
Race 5 - OXYOPTIA OPEN HANDICAP (1206 METRES)
1 Patriot, 2 Golden Comet, 6 Wewonya
Race 6 - SCHWEPPES CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1506 METRES)
4 Good Excuse, 1 Foxy’s Foxinator, 7 Dew Drop
Race 7 - CARLTON DRY BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1106 METRES)
3 Bill ‘N’ Ted, 1 Lethal Dream, 9 Enseguida
Race 8 - JOHN OXLEY MOTORS CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1006 METRES)
1 Can I Rock, 11 Sing Us a Song, 4 In Ya Skyrocket

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