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By Rod Fuller

After a full reconstruction to the Port Macquarie course proper necessitating a break of 15 months, racing returns with Prime Impact poised to deliver in the Win Network Port Macquarie Cup Prelude on Sunday.

The son of Snitzel worked home well at Hawkesbury in August when beaten a length by Naval Seal and was far from disgraced following a determined second last week at Kempsey in an ideal preparation for the weekend assignment.

Ben Osmond had no alternative to hustle near the lead in his most recent assignment where speed was in abundance and provided no match for the finishing burst of Cenotes who scored by a half-length margin.

Prime Impact (Aaron Bullock) - appeals as the one to beat in Sunday's WIN Network Port Macquarie Cup Prelude. Image by Bradley Photographers

The promising young apprentice is enjoying a tremendous run of success in recent times including riding doubles at Bathurst and Kempsey together with multiple metropolitan victories.

Osmond’s confidence was on display last Monday at Taree with a peach of a ride on the Todd Howlett-trained Octavian Treasure as the daughter of Ruch Enuff stalked the leaders before powering clear to score a dominant victory.

With the first two placegetters in the Prelude becoming exempt in the ballot for the all-important Port Macquarie Cup on Friday 11th October, Kris Lees has provided Prime Impact with an ideal preparation for the club’s signature event.

The prominent Novocastrian mentor is optimistic for the gelding and has maintained the preparation with middle distance performances over the last couple of months.

With stakes earnings of over $100,000 after three wins and six placings in a relatively short career, Prime Impact holds the keys to Sunday’s feature.

The mission will not be easy as many competitors jostle for the change to compete in the $200,000 Port Cup in a fortnight and the opportunity to contest the Big Dance for massive prizemoney at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.

Our Bambino was extremely impressive at Coffs Harbour earlier in the month and represents strong claims for the father daughter combination of Wayne and Shae Wilkes while Declutter in enjoying a purple patch of form following victories at Taree in the last month.

Throw in the chances of Subuki, Fioprospero, Kikikapow, Better Explain and Tornado Light and you have the making of a strong and competitive Port Cup Prelude.

Mystic Way was a strong second at Coffs Harbour last start and the John Sprague-trained mare provides the testing material in the opening event while it is significant that Suay Mam’selle is making the journey from Hawkesbury to compete in the Super Maiden Plate.

De Forza is set to continue the success being enjoyed by the Noel Mayfield-Smith stable when the flashy chestnut colt contests the third event following strong Grafton performances in his previous two appearances and the engagement of Molly Fitzgerald provides further confidence.

The outstanding young apprentice has progressed brilliantly since scoring her maiden victory at Bowraville last year and currently sits second behind James McDonald in the state table following multiple wins in recent times.

Other safe wagers centre around Sixfootone in the Benchmark 58 Handicap while the clash of Agirlsbestfriend and Awaygoesthebunny should provide a great highlight when the pair contest the Benchmark 66 event over 1500m.

The combatants met in Highway company at Rosehill last start with Awaygoesthebunny landing the prize but a weight turnaround of 2kg together with the benefit of home track advantage should provide plenty of positives for Agirlsbestfriend in the weekend rematch.

The final event is the most open on the program with Buck Pharoah, De Poet and Scarzel holding the key as all possess strong credentials following recent performances.

Newly elected chairman of the Port Macquarie Race Club, David Todd, and his committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience while the major track renovation occurred and greatly appreciate the assistance and cooperation provided by Racing NSW.

The work should provide great reward for all concerned and propel the club into the next millennium as one of the leaders in the industry.

The recent barrier trials conducted on the track indicated the course proper has returned to its absolute best and the stage is now set for a grand month of Thoroughbred action highlighted by the Port Macquarie Cup on Friday 11th October.

Further information regarding bookings for Sunday’s card and Port Macquarie Cup details are available by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or by emailing - admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au

SELECTIONS
Race 1 - 1:10PM DEAL OR NO DEAL COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1000M): 5 Mystic Way, 11 Get Some Fun, 3 Diamondsaremio
Race 2 - 1:45PM BONDI RESCUE SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1500M): 10 Suay Mam’selle, 13 You Wahng, 6 Rebel One
Race 3 - 2:20PM GLADIATORS COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000M): 3 De Forza, 2 More Szyslak, 4 Hell of a Toughsun
Race 4 - 2:55PM GOGGLE BOX BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1200M): 3 Six Foot One, 11 Highly Tempted, 6 Toy Story
Race 5 - 3:30PM THE HUNTED BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1500M): 3 Agirlsbestfriend, 2 Awaygoesthebunny, 7 Foolish
Race 6 - 4:05PM WIN NETWORK PORT MACQUARIE CUP PRELUDE (1800M): 2 Prime Impact, 1 Our Bambino, 11 Declutter
Race 7 - 4:45PM THE AMAZING RACE BENCHMARK 74 HANDICAP (1000M): 7 Buck Pharoah, 3 De Poet, 4 Hauraki Gulf

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