Latest News

By Rod Fuller

With leading metropolitan trainers holding the key to the $200,000 Carlton Dry 3.5% Port Macquarie Cup, Raf Attack ($3.50 into $2.70 favourite on TAB) is set to provide the Gai & Adrian Bott training partnership another success in the club’s flagship race on Friday.

The stable has enjoyed victories in previous years with Rapido Chaparro in 2019 followed by Entente a year later and have provided Raf Attack with an ideal preparation leading up to his assignment.

After working strongly to the winning post in the Listed-Rowley Mile behind Cepheus, the son of Satono Aladdin has stepped up in distance with solid Rosehill Gardens placings over recent weeks.

Raf Attack (Regan Bayliss) scores at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers

His most recent run was a sound third behind Firestorm three weeks ago after leading and a soft run just behind the pacemakers in the cup should provide the necessary ammunition for success.

Despite being engaged at Rosehill on Saturday, it is anticipated the flashy gelding will be heading to the north coast as the stable has scratched their other stable entrant, Bear on the Loose.

It is also significant that Rachel King has been engaged for the ride and the popular hoop is enjoying a great run of success with multiple victories at Randwick over the past month.

As the event provides passage towards the $3m Big Dance at Randwick in November, the assignment will not be easy for Raf Attack as Touristic ($5) and Redstone Well ($5) have sound credentials while Cenotes ($15) is racing in a purple patch of form.

Touristic came from back in the field when a gallant second behind Golden Path in the McKell Cup at Rosehill in June with his effort in the Grafton Cup being full of merit.

The Peter Snowden-trained gelding was freshened over a five-week period before being placed in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick in late August and looks well suited by the conditions of Friday’s race.

Redstone Well is a dual acceptor and it will be interesting to see which path Annabel Neasham plots as the flashy chestnut gelding has strong credentials in both the Port Cup and the Hill Stakes ($81 on TAB) at Rosehill following an impressive win in the City Tattersalls Cup at Randwick last month.

Cenotes provides the local support with the Colt Prosser-trained gelding looking for four victories on the bounce following successful performances at Tamworth and Kempsey while Prime Impact ($13) took out the prelude in dominant fashion and is a key chance.

There is great interest in the $80,000 Birdon Group Port Macquarie Sprint around the appearance of Inver Park ($18 into $16) with the Kris Lees-trained United Kingdom import having solid credentials with two provincial barrier trials in preparation for the feature sprint assignment.

The son of Pivotel has been off the scene since November last year when beaten by Pascero at Flemington but form prior includes a gritty fifth in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle behind Democracy Manifest.

Boncassie ($3.70 fav) has a great strike rate at the Port circuit and looks a safe wager in the race following the Brett Bellamy-trained mare’s great victory in the Sawtell Cup at Coffs Harbour a month ago.

Other strong chances include Conrad ($9.50) following two impressive barrier trial performances over the past month while local hopes centre around the Marc Quinn-trained gelding, Crowie’s Shout ($6), after an impressive win at the circuit a fortnight ago.

With a full reconstruction to the Port Macquarie course proper necessitating a break of 15 months, racing returned a fortnight ago and there were plenty of positives around the track surface from various racing participants.

Newly elected chairman of the Port Macquarie Race Club, David Todd, his committee, and staff have worked tirelessly to make sure the feature race meeting is presented in the best possible manner and patrons will be offered a vast array of dining, catering and viewing facilities.

Entertainment on cup day will be provided by the James Brothers and this incredibly talented duo are sure to provide punters with great enjoyment and familiar songs to brighten the proceedings.

Port Macquarie Race Club is honoured to continue the wonderful Cup association with Carlton and United Breweries and would also like to acknowledge the raceday sponsorship provided by Birdon Group, Fastplast Building Supplies, Munday Constructions, Evergreen Turf, The Settlers Inn, John Oxley Motors and De Bortoli Wines.

The Showcase status allotted by Racing NSW has boosted prizemoney levels to over $525,000 for the fixture resulting in a massive number of 199 nominations and providing strong depth over the nine-race program.

Festivities commence on Thursday night with the Cup Calcutta to be conducted at The Settlers Inn on Hastings River Drive from 6pm for a 7pm commencement.

The night will be conducted by Melinda Turner from Sky Racing and her hosting style together a strong engagement with all in attendance should provide a great night for all participants.

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

It was great to see a special presentation of Life Membership made to Michael Bowman on Prelude Day for his years of dedicated service in the role of CEO to the Port Race Club and all congratulate him on his outstanding efforts and achievements.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 - MUNDAY CONSTRUCTIONS COUNTRY MAIDEN SHOWCASE PLATE (1000M): 1 Mr Damage, 4 Diamondsaremio, 10 Bondi Prophet
Race 2 - EVERGREEN TURF COUNTRY MAGIC CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200M): 11 Get Some Fun, 7 Pony Soprano, 6 Highly Tempted
Race 3 - SETTLERS INN SUPER MAIDEN SHOWCASE PLATE (1200M): 1 Jared, 6 Justice Warrior, 8 Marais
Race 4 - SETTLERS INN SUPER MAIDEN SHOWCASE PLATE (1200M): 8 Ningaloo Reef, 10 Gimme Gimme, 13 Phenom
Race 5 - BIRDON GROUP PORT MACQUARIE SPRINT (1200M): 5 Boncassie, 1 Inver Park, 3 Conrad
Race 6 - JOHN OXLEY VOLKSWAGEN CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1100M): 7 Catchy Tunes, 8 Chaserlette, 5 Tryanza
Race 7 - DE BORTOLI WINES BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1000M): 4 Iobject, 7 Pixie Hallow, 8 Adamdeeant
Race 8 - CARLTON DRY 3.5% PORT CUP *BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY* (2000M): 3 Raf Attack, 2 Touristic, 1 Redstone Well
Race 9 - FASTPLAST BUILDING SUPPLIES HASTINGS CUP (1500M): 9 Agirlsbestriend, 7 Believe So, 3 Rhythm is a Dancer

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