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By Rod Fuller

With the benefit of a recent spell resumption in the Hopkins Livermore Cup at Taree under his belt, Ready by Design is poised for success in the $34,000 Stowe Australia Port Macquarie Cup Prelude at the circuit on Sunday.

The son of Master of Design was responsible for outstanding performances when previously in work and was successful in Class 3 company at Port before accounting for Arabolini and Seporto at Gosford in April.

Ready by Design will be a tough nut to crack at Port Macquarie

The former Victorian proceeded to Tamworth a fortnight later and finished powerfully from near the tail of the field to score a decisive win over Scorched Land in the Mornington Handicap at Tamworth over 2100 metres.

It was off to the spelling paddock for the Nathan Doyle trained gelding before a couple of soft barrier trials in preparation for his resumption in the Taree event a month ago.

Despite racing over an unsuitable distance and giving the leaders many lengths advantage, Ready by Design made up solid ground over the concluding stages to be beaten just under five lengths by the ultimate winner, Prima Stella.

The increase in distance for Sunday’s assignment should greatly assist his chances with plenty at stake as the top two placegetters gain automatic entry in the club’s feature next month.

Dangers in the event centre around Real Time Warrior with the Joanne Hardy trained gelding benefiting from a recent outing at Grafton while Onemore Sapphire is always a chance in this type of event.

Curioso has the form on the board to take out the first event, but punters should follow the market closely as Hervey’s Way and Threetimeslucky both have strong trial form going into the race.

On a program featuring capacity fields throughout the day, Elected deserves to break through for the Kris Lees stable in the Schweppes Maiden Plate following consistent efforts around the provincial circuit.

Paul Shailer is a welcome arrival to the Port training ranks with the former Queensland stable foreman to Chris Waller granted permission and facilities to train in his own name. The Kiwi mentor has around twenty boxes on site and will present three horses for the first time on Sunday with Laphroaig representing his best chance for early success.

With many areas around the state still being affected by Covid-19 regulations, NSW race meetings, barrier trials, trackwork and licensed premises are restricted to Essential Personnel only until further notice. Owners, members, and the general public will not permitted to attend the Port Racing Complex with the club hopeful for a relaxation of these regulations in the lead up to the cup carnival next month.

All staff and essential personnel are required to always wear the prescribed face masks while on the premises and social distancing rules will be strictly enforced with everyone urged to continue safe hand washing practices and general responsible conduct.

If you live or have visited a designated lock down area or 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 be restricted from entering the track, and you should get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible.

The continuation of fine weather in the days leading up to the program should ensure the best possible surface will be presented for the race meeting with officials anticipating a good track rating.

Races on the program are named after valued sponsors including Stowe Australia, John Oxley Motors, De Bortoli Wines, Tabcorp, Gemlife, Schweppes and Carlton Dry with the club delighted to continue their association with these fine organisations.

Punters will be able to follow all the action of the local card together with full coverage of supporting programs from around Australia through the screens of Sky Racing and comprehensive wagering facilities available.

The stage is now set for a wonderful carnival of racing commencing on Friday 8th October 2021 with the running of the club’s flagship meeting highlighted by the $200,000 Port Macquarie Cup, the $80,000 Birdon Group Sprint and the $50,000 Hastings Cup. Racing continues Saturday 9th October with a well-balanced TAB program catering for most classes of horse and offering $168,000 in prizemoney.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 1.30pm DE BORTOLI WINES CG&E MAIDEN HCP (1100M): 10 Curioso, 13 Buckin’ Rippa, 6 Harvey’s Way
Race 2 – 2.05pm GEMLIFE F&M MAIDEN HCP (1100M): 4 Oakfield Blossom, 2 Thunder Rose, 1 Virtuous Miss
Race 3 – 2.40pm SCHWEPPES MAIDEN PLATE (1500M): 3 Elected, 4 Pulitzer Prize, 11 Ting Tong
Race 4 – 3.20pm TAB.COM.AU BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1500M): 6 Coolmeans, 5 Charlie’s Law, 4 Laphroaig
Race 5 – 4.00pm JOHN OXLEY MOTORS CLASS 2 HCP (1000M): 7 Tequila Cabos, 4 Freddie Eddie, 6 Jazzles
Race 6 – 4.39pm STOWE AUSTRALIA PORT MACQUARIE CUP PRELUDE (1800M): 3 Ready by Design, 9 Real Time Warrior, 2 Onemore Sapphire
Race 7 – 5.14pm CARLTON DRY BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1200M): 2 Lord Jaysea, 5 Oakfield Navajo, 10 Innervoice