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By Rod Fuller

In a meteoric rise through the ranks, Social Element looks the testing material in the $150,000 Carlton Draught Port Macquarie Showcase Cup on Friday.

In August, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding had her debut run at Hawkesbury when a creditable 2nd behind Dragon’s Shadow over 1300 metres.

He followed that run with a placing in a set weight maiden over the mile at Newcastle before saluting over 2000m on the Beaumont Newcastle Track in record time.

With staying bloodlines around Savabeel, who won the 2004 WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, it was obvious the middle-distance journey was the logical progression. And considering the win at Warwick Farm in a Benchmark 70 Handicap followed by a solid placing behind Exoteric, beaten a neck, Social Element looks well placed in the feature race.

The astute, Waterhouse and Bott stable would not be sending the gelding to Port in a race of such prestige if they were not confident of a forward showing. With the prospect of Alward racing at Randwick on Saturday, the Chris Waller stable has Loving Home flying the flag in the cup.

The Shamardal gelding has strong runs over the distance under his belt at Doomben and took prizemoney levels to over $275,000 after scoring at Ipswich recently.

The Barry Lockwood-trained Skytrek is attempting the hat-trick after wins at Ballina and a narrow victory over Al Shameel in the Lismore Cup. After a titanic struggle in the Cup Prelude which resulted in an exhilarating finish, Miss Tickles and Glitra look to have sound claims, while last year’s winner, Sofin could also figure in the placings.

The club is absolutely delighted with the final field for the race and the strong depth in final acceptances for the entire program. The feature sprint is the $50,000 Debortoli Wines Quality over 1200m featuring the clash of Just dreaming, Bonne Cheval and Oxford Poet.

The Kris Lees-trained mare Just Dreaming comes into the race with solid claims following wins at Rosehill in July and the benefit of two recent barrier trials. The local campaigner, Bonne Cheval tasted success at Lismore in the Untamed during the recent carnival while Oxford Poet has been racing well in listed company.

A further reminder regarding the Calcutta to be conducted by Sky Racing’s Gary Kliese at the Settlers Inn Hotel (101 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie) from 6.30pm on Thursday.

Carlton Draught Showcase Cup Day commences at 1.15pm on Friday with a $20 admission fee and free shuttle buses available. Focus Magazine Fashions on the Field will be conducted throughout the day with great prizes on offer and the best in food, dining, wagering and lawn facilities will be available.

The Port Macquarie Cup is scheduled for 4.55pm and the carnival continues with the Steeline Raceray on Saturday. The club would like to acknowledge the continued support of Carlton Draught, and De Bortoli together with the sponsorship provided by Oxyoptia, J R Richards & Sons, Winning Edge Presentations, Programmed Property Services, Settlers Inn and Fastplast Building Supplies.

President, Greg Delaforce would like to express on behalf of the committee of the club, great appreciation for the assistance provided by Racing NSW.

SELECTIONS Race 1 (Oxyoptia Entires and Geldings Maiden Plate, 1200m): 8 Saint Denis, 6 Nic and Run, 9 Superior Offer Race 2 (J R Richards & Sons Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate, 1200m): 10 Ivory Jane, 7 Aqua Chimera, 6 Zoeasy Race 3 (Winning Edge Presentations Benchmark 68 Hcp, 1100m): 2 Oakfield Rickie, 5 Painted Lady, 1 Dreamalina Race 4 (Programmed Property Services Class 2 Hcp, 1000m): 8 Princess Lottie, 1 All Stand, 2 Deceptacon Race 5 (Settlers Inn Class 1 Hcp,

1200m): 2 Sepae, 8 Gold Skye, 10 Lucciola Belle Race 6 (2017 De Bortoli Wines Quality Sprint, 1200m): 3 Just Dreaming, 5 Bonne Cheval, 1 Oxford Poet Race 7 (2017 Carlton Draught Port Macquarie Cup, 2000m): 6 Social Element, 8 Skytrek, 1 Loving Home Race 8 (Fastplast Building Supplies Open Hcp, 1500m): 1 Explosive Scene, 6 Excited Prince, 3 Dalmatia Prince

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Port Macquarie's Country Showcase meeting here