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By Rod Fuller

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott training partnership is confident of repeating the outstanding success of Rapido Chaparro in last year’s event when the stable presents Entente ($1.65 favourite with TAB) and Knights Order ($26) in the $200,000 Carlton Draught Port Macquarie Cup on Friday.

Tim Clarke piloted Entente to victory in a strong Benchmark 88 Handicap at Rosehill last start when accounting for Vegas Jewel by a narrow margin and it is significant the prominent hoop will partner the gelding for the feature assignment.

This was the son of Dundeel’s third run from a spell with her campaign last season including a black type victory in the Carbine Club Stakes followed by a solid third behind Kinane in the Group 3 Packer Plate at Randwick during The Championships carnival.

Knights Order provides plenty of interest as the well credentialled British import was spelled following a resounding victory at Sandown Park (UK) over a suitable distance in September 2018 and it is significant the So You Think gelding has been given two steady trials at Warwick Farm before being entered for the event.

After receiving the 2020 Bart Cummings Award for another outstanding season of training excellence at the recent Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards night, Chris Waller is poised to add another Port Cup to his impressive collection.

The stable has won this event twice in the previous three years with Loving Home and Exoteric and present a dual attack for Friday’s feature headed by Savacool ($7) and Mantastic
($11). Savacool tasted success at her spell resumption in August when accounting for Girl Tuesday and Spencer in the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury with a brave fourth in the Wyong Cup providing plenty of confidence.

Waller has the decision as to whether the Savabeel mare will contest the North Coast highlight or head to Randwick for the Angst Stakes the following day and the matter is further complicated due to the news that the mare is confirmed to be in foal.

Mantastic has been campaigning in Victoria and the son of Fastnet Rock was not disgraced in the JRA Cup behind Al Galayel in preparation for the assignment and form prior against strong opposition has been sound.

The local influence centres around Tom’s Knight ($14) and Cogliere ($18) who are exempt from the ballot following their efforts in the Stowe Australia Port Cup Prelude, while Dew Drop ($61) gains a start for John Sprague after early scratchings.

Throw in the consistent Hinchinbrook mare, Aliferous ($9) who has been placed in previous metropolitan outings, and the stage is set for an outstanding running of this prestigious event.

Oxford Tycoon ($4.80) is poised for a successful resumption in the $70,000 Birdon Group Sprint following two solid barrier trials at Gosford and Beaumont after a spell of five months.

The Kim Waugh-trained gelding has been fiercely competitive in Listed company throughout his career and ran a cracking third behind Through the Cracks in the Provincial Championships Final at Randwick in the autumn on heavy ground.

The flashy chestnut should be better suited on the good track conditions available for Friday’s event and the engagement of champion jockey, Tommy Berry, should provide further confidence.

Dangers in the race centre around Burning Crown ($4.40 fav) following an encouraging second for the Sue Grills establishment in the recent Hurricane Stakes at Newcastle while All from Scrap ($17) is a last start Tamworth winner.

The clash between Monica’s Star ($4.60 fav) and Leave Me Some ($12) in the Flower Hotel Benchmark 66 Handicap provides plenty of interest with both gallopers well up to the task at hand.

Monica’s Star is a rising star for Wayne Wilkes and the daughter of Dr Doute’s possesses a distinct appreciation for the Port track after scoring on two occasions from her three appearances including a most recent victory over Chargement.

Leave Me Some has been placed at her two starts since resuming from a spell and was narrowly beaten by Mathematics in Class 2 company at Tamworth last week.

Port Macquarie Race Club is honoured to continue the wonderful Cup association with Carlton Draught and would also like to acknowledge the associated raceday sponsorship provided by Birdon Group, Fastplast, De Bortoli Wines, Flower Hotels, John Oxley Motors, JR Richards & Sons and Programmed Property Maintenance.

The Showcase status allotted by Racing NSW has boosted prizemoney levels to $490,000 for the fixture resulting in a massive number of 184 nominations and providing strong depth throughout the day. Fine and sunny weather conditions will provide the best possible racing surface for the flagship meeting and the quality fields should ensure competitive racing.

With the continuation of NSW Government and Health Coronavirus restrictions, there will only be a limited number of tickets available for the program. The club has been forced the restrict the number of tickets available for owners on both Cup day and Saturday providing a six-horse maximum per horse.

Ticketing Registration opened after close of Nominations and interested parties should email admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au with the names and contact numbers of the owners wishing to attend together with the horse name and race name. All emails will be replied to within 24 hours after acceptances close and more ticketing may become available when numbers are assessed by the club.

Names and contact details are required upon entry and restrictions remain in place for people who are unwell, are in one of the risk categories or have travelled from a hot spot area without following the required guidelines.

The Ivan Livermore Stand and Clydesdale Rooms together with associated facilities will be in operation providing catering and wagering services and strict protocols and social distancing will be enforced.

Punters unable to attend will be able to follow all the action live from the Port Cup meeting and major programs around Australia through the screens of Sky Racing and comprehensive wagering facilities will be provided by Tabcorp.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 1.25pm JOHN OXLEY MOTORS CLASS 2 HCP (1000M): 2 Girls Kick On, 5 Lucky Shadow, 6 Bedazzle
Race 2 – 2.05pm JR RICHARDS & SONS F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 12 Nicci Trix, 5 Polariser, 7 Rhianna Belle
Race 3 – 2.40pm PROGRAMMED PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 11 Sian, 3 Schoona the Better, 4 Standing Bear
Race 4 – 3.20pm FLOWER HOTELS BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1100M): 13 Monica’s Star, 12 Leave Me Some, 3 Okay Boss
Race 5 – 3.55pm FASTPLAST BUILDING SUPPLIES HASTINGS CUP (1500M): 8 Lose the Snip, 15 Heza Magic Man, 7 Cryptic Jewel
Race 6 – 4.35pm BIRDON GROUP SRPINT (1200M): 1 Oxford Tycoon, 3 Burning Crown, 5 All from Scrap
Race 7 – 5.10pm 2020 CARLTON DRAUGHT PORT MACQUARIE CUP (2000M): 6 Entente, 4 Savacool, 5 Aliferous
Race 8 – 5.50pm DE BORTOLI WINES COUNTRY MAGIC CLASS 1 HCP (1200M): 2 Don’t Cry Mama, 3 Cecilia, 6 September Girl

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