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By Rod Fuller

Despite being allocated topweight and resuming from a spell of around four months, Prospero is the class runner in the Carlton Dry Easter Cup and should provide the testing material at Port Macquarie on Saturday.

The son of Pierro has appeared at the circuit on two occasions and posted a narrow victory over Kikikapow during the club’s cup carnival last October before finishing a gallant second behind Urbino two weeks later.

The gelding was rested after saluting at Hawkesbury last November and will benefit from two recent barrier trials in preparation for the weekend assignment.

Nathan Doyle [pictured left] puts the polish on Prospero and the prominent Novocastrian trainer is enjoying a wonderful run of success in the current racing season statistics with a tally of 22 wins.

Distance will not be a great concern and his chances are further enhanced with the engagement of Dylan Gibbons taking advantage of the promising apprentice’s claim to alleviate the weight impost.

After a dominant victory in similar conditions last weekend, Bay of Bengal is poised to repeat the dose in the event despite the progression in distance, but the gelding does have tremendous form at his home track together with the advantage of being able to handle rain-affected ground.

The son of Sepoy was taken straight to the lead by promising young apprentice, Georgina McDonnell, and was able to hold the finishing efforts of Essoess and Cliff’s Choice to score by a length in similar company.

Bay of Bengal is trained by Neil Godbolt and the prominent local trainer is enjoying a stellar run of success and this continued when Admiral Ash scored a decisive victory at Grafton on Monday.

Other chances centre around The Borough following a solid placing at Tamworth last week on heavy ground while Midnight Rambler is stepping up in grade, but won extremely well at the circuit last weekend.

Em Em D’Ar has received plenty of chances to post victory, but the John Sprague-trained gelding looks well placed in the opening event following recent placings while the Nathan Doyle stable is looking for a first victory with Ferlaxing in the following event after two impressive trials.

The Kris Lees stable is poised for further success on the program with the leading stable having strong chances throughout the program, headed by Excelness, French Marine and Tawfiq Lass.

Excelness debuted at the track earlier this month and was far from disgraced when beaten a length by Buck Pharoah, so looks well placed in the Schweppes Maiden Plate while French Marine is a Dubbo winner last start and Tawfiq Lass has above average ability.

There was massive interest in the fixture with Racing NSW decision to increase the prizemoney and status levels resulting in over a hundred and sixty nominations and this has ensured capacity fields spread throughout the afternoon.

The course proper raced particularly well following the recent deluge and further promising weather conditions and strong drying winds should provide the best possible racing surface.

The Port race track continues to be a COVID-19 safe venue and it is important to follow all the procedures and guidelines applicable with everyone encouraged to download the Services NSW app prior to attending to make entry easier.

It should be well noted that anyone who resides or has travelled in Queensland together with the Local Government areas of Tweed, Byron, Ballina and Lismore are recommended not to attend the track.

If you have cold or flu like symptoms, such as a cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or runny nose, even if these are mild, you will not be permitted to the course and you should get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible.

General admission tickets are available on raceday and further details regarding tickets and seating arrangements in the Livermore Stand and Clydesdale Room are available by contacting the club on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.

Races on the program are named in honour of Great Northern Super Crisp, John Oxley Motors, De Bortoli Wines, Carlton Dry, Schweppes, Pines Pacific Ale and Tabcorp with the club encouraging everyone to support these fine brands.

Punters will be able to follow all the action of the local program together with Tancred Stakes day from Rosehill and quality supporting programs around the country through the screens of Sky Racing with comprehensive trackside wagering facilities available.

Port Macquarie Race Club President, Greg Delaforce, would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe, happy and peaceful Easter with best wishes for the holiday period.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 1.31pm TAB VENUE MODE MAIDEN HCP (1506M): 1 Em Em D’Ar, 4 Unwavering Faith, 2 Mon Amore
Race 2 – 2.11pm PINES PACIFIC ALE CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1106M): 7 Ferlaxing, 6 Being Naughty, 10 Tupou
Race 3 – 2.51pm SCHWEPPES F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1106M): 4 Excelness, 5 Faatinaat, 10 Shootforthestar
Race 4 – 3.31pm DE BORTOLI WINES CLASS 2 HCP (1106M): 4 French Marine, 3 Foxy Zenia, 9 Whatyoulookingat
Race 5 – 4.11pm JOHN OXLEY MOTORS BM 50 HCP (1206M): 6 Tawfiq Lass, 11 Dawntillarvi, 7 Fightforyourright
Race 6 – 4.51pm CARLTON DRY EASTER CUP- CLASS 2 HCP (1506M): 1 Prospero, 4 The Borough, 7 Bay of Bengal
Race 7 – 5.26pm GREAT NORTHERN SUPER CRISP BM 50 HCP (1006M): 4 Mosh Vain, 5 Haunting Spirit, 2 Flash Palace

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