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By Rod Fuller

Following an outstanding placing in a recent Highway event at Randwick, Senatorial ($3.30 favourite on TAB fixed odds) looks set to provide the testing material in the De Bortoli Wines Class 3 Handicap at the Port Macquarie race meeting on Thursday.

The lightly-raced son of Hinchinbrook proved he could handle the rise in grade when beaten under a half-length in a blanket finish behind Cap’s Boy at headquarters after successive victories at Taree in January.

The Tony Ball-trained gelding is enjoying a purple patch of form after breaking his maiden status in sound fashion when accounting for Hidden Hills before a narrow victory over Power to Play at the mid north coast track a fortnight later.

Senatorial stepped up two classes in town a fortnight ago over the 1800m journey and looks well poised for continued success in his upcoming assignment over the same distance.

Up the Stairs ($4.80) is assessed as the toughest challenger after finishing just behind the placegetters in the same Highway event with the Terry Evans-trained gelding yet to be unplaced in three appearances at the Port circuit.

The son of Savoire Vivre was responsible for a solid second behind Mister Smartee in open class at the track last November with his most recent local performance resulting in a third when beaten a length by Okay Boss.

More Spice ($7.50) is another who should attract consideration with Scott Singleton making the journey over the ranges from his Scone training headquarters after the Mosayter mare’s recent victories at Dubbo and her home track.

An enthralling battle awaits in the Carlton Dry Benchmark 66 Handicap with Acoustix ($4.40) looking to bounce back from his fifth behind Magnalane in the recent North Coast Country Championship Qualifier at Taree.

The Tas Morton-trained gelding was successful at Taree in December before accounting for Scatter Blast at Port a fortnight later with the son of Snitzel being better suited on the anticipated good conditions (currently a soft 6) in comparison to the recent rain-affected going.

The Kris Lees stable puts the polish on the former Victorian galloper, Tigeen ($2.25 fav), with daughter of O’Reilly scoring a narrow first-up success in similar company over Go Fish Go at the Beaumont Track last start.

Real Gent ($6) is attempting the hat-trick following successive victories on heavy ground at Grafton and Ballina with the Greg Howells-trained gelding set for a forward showing in the race showcasing some of NSW racing’s finest apprentice jockeys.

Safe wagers on the program include Serbelloni ($2.90 fav) in the second event with the Paul Perry-trained gelding returning from a Kempsey win in November with a Beaumont barrier trial under his belt while Exotic Pearl ($1.90) seems poised to break her maiden status for Tracey Bartley in race 4.

Port Macquarie Race Club wishes to acknowledge the continued support of valued sponsors, Carlton, John Oxley Motors, Barrier Signs, De Bortoli Wines, Atm2hire and Schweppes.

The stand-alone program features comprehensive Sky Racing and TAB coverage and patrons are welcome to avail themselves of the outstanding facilities of the Ivan Livermore Grandstand and associated amenities.

An extremely busy period approaches for the club with the Master Builders Raceday on the 20th March followed by the McGuigan BMW fixture eight days later.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12:40PM MASTER BUILDERS RACEDAY 20/3MAIDEN HCP (1000M): 6 Crazeelil, 9 Sparkling Rose, 10 Trematon
Race 2 – 1:15PM JOHN OXLEY MOTORS CLASS 1 HCP (1000M): 1 Serbelloni, 8 Peachies Dream, 5 More Than A Samba
Race 3 – 1:50PM MCGUIGAN BMW RACEDAY 28/3 MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 7 Captain Solo, 9 Stonecold Flex, 8 Medellin
Race 4 – 2:25PM BARRIER SIGNS MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 12 Exotic Pearl, 5 Walton Hall, 7 New York Nick
Race 5 – 3:05PM RACING EASTER SATURDAY 11/4 MAIDEN PLATE (1500M): 13 Just Cosmos, 4 Submission, 11 Za Za Zena
Race 6 – CARLTON DRY BENCHMARK 66 HCP- HEAT OF THE RISING STAR (1500M): 2 Acoustix, 6 Tigeen, 4 Real Gent
Race 7 – 4:15PM DE BORTOLI WINES CLASS 3 HCP (1800M): 4 Senatorial, 3 Up the Stairs, 8 More Spice
Race 8 – 4:50PM ATM2HIRE F&M BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1200M): 9 Teo Torriate, 5 Di’s Diamond, 10 Gypsy Queen
Race 9 – 5.30PM SCHWEPPES CG&E BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1200M): 1 Gironde, 3 Hubble, 11 Manno

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