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By Rod Fuller

After a week of flooding that caused devastation, heartbreak and despair for so many people, Supreme Prince is set to provide some type of positive in the Great Northern Super Crisp Class 2 Handicap (1200m) at the Port Macquarie race meeting on Saturday.

The area has been decimated by over 550 mls of rain in the last week and it has been an outstanding achievement and countless hours of hard work from so many dedicated people to have the circuit ready for racing on the weekend.

The rain-affected track conditions should play into the hands of Supreme Prince with the gelding showing a distinct appreciation for soft and heavy ground in a career encompassing eight official starts.

Coffs Harbour-based trainer Brett Bellamy

The son of Supreme Class was responsible for a sound fourth at the track under similar conditions behind Spiritual Power earlier in the month before a narrow second at Coffs in a recent event won by Sugar Baby.

Supreme Prince is working up to another win and the Brett Bellamy-trained gelding should provide the testing material with the popular trainer also having bright prospects in the event around the chances of Vesuvian.

The son of Cluster was responsible for sound placings at Lismore and Coffs Harbour when previously in work and will benefit from a spell resumption on his home track over an unsuitable distance a fortnight ago.

Bay of Bengal is looming as the obvious danger to the Bellamy pair with the Neil Godbolt-trained gelding far from disgraced in his most recent run at Port when beaten under three lengths behind Oslo.

The claim allotted to promising apprentice, Georgina McDonnell, provides additional confidence in his assignment with the Godbolt stable holding a strong hand in the third event on the program with Condover Hall, Lord Jaysea and Our Girl Babs engaged.

Condover Hall handled the rain-affected ground with ridiculous ease when accounting for Saintly Sunrise by around four lengths at his recent Coffs assignment while Lord Jaysea is a Tuncurry winner three starts ago and Our Girl Babs has the benefit of a recent run under her belt following a spell of around seven months.

It is significant that all three stable representatives have strong credentials in soft and heavy conditions and the market movements should provide a good guide to their chances in the race.

Midnight Rambler should provide punters a successful start to the day’s activities with the John Sprague trained gelding indicating victory is not far away following two north coast efforts since relocating from Victoria.

The son of Love Conquers All was responsible for good placings at Ararat, Moonee Valley and Cranbourne when under the care of Danny O’Brien and the effort at Taree in December last year when defeated in a blanket finish behind Classic Gown provides confidence for a forward showing.

It is great to see Matthew Palmer back in the saddle with a strong book of rides following an injury-enforced break due to a nasty incident at the Gold Coast on Boxing Day while partnering Tactical Move. The popular hoop rides Another Super for Mick Dwyer in the opening event followed by engagements aboard Shakti and Cooreei Lass later on the program.

All at Port Macquarie remain saddened by the news that long-term director of Port Macquarie Race Club, Peter Garlick, recently passed away following illness and have again perpetuated his memory by naming the final race on the program in his honour.

Peter worked with great passion and enthusiasm for the betterment of the sport in the district and raced many horses with success over the years, including Pomme Petite under the guidance of long-term training friend, Barry Ratcliff. His positive nature and will to succeed through great adversity are characteristics sadly needed in the current circumstances and we will miss his great influence on the local racing scene.

The Port racetrack 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. General admission tickets are available on race day 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, Tabcorp, ATM2HIRE and Trackside Photography with the club appreciative of the continued support provided by these fine organisations.

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

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 1.17pm TAB VENUE MODE CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1100M): 8 Midnight Rambler, 6 Another Super, 1 At the Cove
Race 2 – 1.57pm JOHN OXLEY MOTORS F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1100M): 7 Loburn Lass, 9. Shakti, 1 All a Lady
Race 3 – 2.37pm ATM2HIRE BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1200M): 1 Condover Hall, 3 Maid Marilyn, 6 Dutchess Nicci
Race 4 – 3.17pm GREAT NORTHERN SUPER CRISP CLASS 2 HCP (1200M): 6 Supreme Prince, 3 Bay of Bengal, 1 Venusian
Race 5 – 3.57pm TRACKSIDE PHOTOGRAPHY BENCHMARK 50 HCP (1500M): 5 Cooreei Lass, 9 Another Sonette, 4 Za Za Zena
Race 6 – 4.37pm VALE PETER GARLICK BENCHMARK 50 HCP (1000M): 1 Bilbao, 3 Mosh Vain, 8 Zastarisborn

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