Rod Fuller
Port Macquarie review, Sunday 7 February 2021
With four wins at the Port Macquarie circuit since November, Elusive Eagle maintained his outstanding strike rate to lead throughout for a comprehensive victory in the Mid North Coast Championship Preview on Sunday.
Ben Looker took advantage of the gelding’s early speed to bound the son of Sidestep clear before dictating terms and racing away over the concluding stages to account for Bellastar and Texas Storm by over a length.
With the racing pattern throughout the day favouring on paced runners, Looker’s tactics proved to be a masterstroke and continued the popular hoop’s wonderful association of four rides for three wins on the Allan Denham trained gelding.
Normally better suited by settling off the speed, Elusive Eagle has now shown a versatility that will go well for future assignments, particularly in the metropolitan and provincial areas of the state.
The astute training skills and placement of Denham continues to pay dividends with the established mentor enjoying a tremendous strike rate of 21 wins for the current season despite possessing only a relatively small team of horses.
The improved effort of Bellastar at the mare’s second run from a spell was encouraging after settling fourth in the middle stages of the event and this could prove a good form line towards the district qualifier in two weeks while Dr Demon and Texas Storm performed with credit.
A reminder the $150,000 Mid North Coast Country Championships Qualifier is to be conducted at Taree on 21st February with the top two placegetters competing with other entrants around country NSW for the massive prizemoney pool on offer in the Newhaven Park Country Championship Final at Randwick on Saturday April 3rd.
Shadow Vixen was sensationally backed in the opening event and didn’t let supporters down when the former Victorian raced clear for a commanding victory by just under two lengths.
The Denim Wynen trained filly was prominently positioned behind Wanna Tweet for most of the journey before Ashley Morgan made his move rounding the home bend on the daughter of Foxwedge to dash away over the concluding stages for an impressive victory.
Endangered Species had been placed at his only two race appearances on the northern rivers before a perfect ride by Jon Grisdale resulted in victory in race two.
Grisdale positioned the Joanne Hardy trained gelding just of the speed and one horse off the rails before making his move approaching the home turn with the son of Hinchinbrook holding on from Zaru and Em Em D’ar for a deserved win.
Justitia continued the run of success for Kris Lees when the daughter of Husson was able to respond to the riding of Andrew Gibbons to break her maiden status narrowly while Chillie Cod scored another victory for popular local trainer, Robert Agnew, in the Class 1 Handicap.
Slice of Heaven had been a model of consistency for Wauchope trainer, Colt Prosser, following recent placings at Gunnedah and Port with Mikayla Weir having no hesitation in driving the daughter of Rubick straight her to the lead and running rivals ragged in the fifth event.
Yarrinup Flyer was able to mow down the early pacemaker, Findellee, to land victory for the Jim Jarvis training stable in the last with Stephen Traecey steering the chestnut mare to a scrambling victory over Firefly Poppy and Maid Marilyn.
The effort by the Jenny Graham trained mare, Firefly Poppy was phenomenal considering Ashley Morgan had the daughter of Ustinov near the tail of the field before storming down the outside while Maid Marilyn wasn’t beaten far.
Emily Atkinson rode Maid Marilyn into third position and lodged a protest against Yarrinup Flyer for interference in the home straight with the stewards subsequently dismissing the objection.
The action was conducted under fine skies and before a healthy crowd with the good surface generally racing well despite showing a distinct advantage to horses racing near the lead.
Former players and supporters of all rugby leagues in Port had a wonderful day at the track and thanks to Carlton Dry, Great Northern, 4 Pines Pacific Ale, Port City Breakers RLFC, Port Macquarie Sharks RLFC and John Oxley Motors for making the meeting such a great success.
The next fixture at Port is a stand-alone NSW program scheduled for Thursday 4th March with an eight-race card highlighted by a Benchmark 66 Handicap over 1500 metres.
Watch the replays on Racing NSW
Review
Race 1 –PORT CITY BREAKERS RLFC F&M MAIDEN HCP (1200 M)
Par Avion and Wanna Tweet battled for favouritism with the latter just holding the call while a confident betting plunge for Shadow Vixen causing Time to Target to drift noticeably.
Wanna Tweet began well and Mikayla Weir was able to use the inside barrier advantage to dash the Todd Howlett trained filly clear from Shadow Vixen with Cheketa camped off the pace in third position on the inside of Par Avion.
Time to Target was stirred up prior to the event and Stephen Tracey was trapped wide in the early stages on the Jim Jarvis trained filly before striding up to be just behind the leading group while the others were headed by Queen of War.
Wanna Tweet led approaching the home bend before Ashley Morgan made a move on Shadow Vixen with the Denim Wynen trained galloper surging to the front.
While Wanna Tweet battled on well and Par Avion maintained her position down the straight after being camped just off the speed for most of the journey, they were no match for Shadow Vixen with the daughter of Foxwedge racing clear for a strong victory.
The effort of Time to Target was full of merit after being on her toes prior to the start and covering plenty of additional ground in running with the third placing providing plenty of encouragement for owner, Joe Janiak.
Race 2 – PORT MACQUARIE SHARKS RLFC CG&E MAIDEN HCP (1200 M)
A spirited betting move for Em Em D’ar resulted in the John Sprague trained gelding being backed into ruling favourite over Zaru with Endangered Species a firm third elect.
Into the Blue began with the gusto and Jeff Kehoe had no hesitation in driving the Michael O’Neill trained gelding to a clear lead from Emporia and Poet’s Prophecy with Endangered Species perfectly positioned on the outside of Zaru.
Ray Spokes had the well supported punter’s elect, Em Em D’ar, in the centre of the pack in front of Stephen while Kickstart for Sam missed the start noticeably and was back near the rear of proceedings.
Into the Blue set the tempo down the side of the track and led the field for the run to the judge from Emporia with Endangered Species continuing to make ground around Poet’s Prophecy.
Em Em D’ar was planted wide but continued to make ground around the field while Zaru was cluttered up in the middle of the pack as the runners headed for home.
Into the Blue was under immediate pressure as Emporia tried to work underneath him with Robert Thompson finding clear galloping room along the rails aboard Zaru while Endangered Species worked up on the outside with Em Em D’ar.
Endangered Species hit the front in the shadows of the post and was able to withstand the finishing run of Zaru, who had a chequered passage, with Em Em D’ar making up good ground down the outside.
Race 3 – JOHN OXLEY MOTORS MAIDEN PLATE (1500 M)
Justitia shortened a half point in betting resulting in the Kris Lees trained mare being dispatched as ruling elect from Single Charge with Flying Euros a drifting third elect in front of Wiki.
Wiki carries the purple and white colours of a great champion of the past in the shape of Gunsynd and Amelia Denby led clearly on the David Atkins trained gelding from Dragon Dream and Single Charge.
Single Charge was tucked away on the inside of Island Countess and Company Line while Andrew Gibbons had Justitia well positioned in the centre of the field in front of Flying Euros.
Wiki tried to lift around the home bend before being attacked for the front by Dragon Dream with Single Charge angling for the run close to the fence and Justitia warming up to her task.
Wiki could not withstand the finishing burst of Justitia near the post with the Husson mare scoring by a decisive margin while Dragon Dream held on for third in front Flying Euros, who made up good ground down the outside.
Race 4 – 4 PINES PACIFIC ALE ON TAP CLASS 1 HCP (1000 M)
Chillie Cod was the firm elect for the event with the weight of money causing Married to ease while Quite Neat was steady on the third line of betting in front of Doolie.
Ray Spokes took advantage of Chillie Cod’s strong early speed from the wide barrier to lead clearly from Quite Neat with Married third on the inside of Honey Elysees while Doolie was positioned well off the speed.
The tempo tapered off approaching the home turn as Chillie Cod continued to dictate terms in the lead from Quite Neat with Married racing ungenerously towards the cutaway rail as Honey Elysees and Doolie commenced their runs.
Chillie Cod was able to maintain the premier position down the home straight with the Robert Agnew trained filly scoring by a length from Married with Quite Neat battling on well for the minor prize in front of Honey Elysees and Doolie.
Race 5 – CARLTON DRY ON TAP BM 58 HCP (1000 M)
Slice of Heaven was the firm favourite for the race in front of her Colt Prosser trained stablemate, Mosh Vain, with Zapluck considered a genuine chance in front of Enigami.
Mikayla Weir drove Slice of Heaven to a clear lead from I’m Jacko with Enigami planted wide on the outside as Mosh Vain continued to make ground along the fence to be in a prominent early position.
Zapluck was scouting wide down the side of the track around Just Sizzling and Wolfram while Emily Atkinson was content to sit back towards the tail of the field aboard Madame Bonser.
The racing pattern remained constant as Slice of Heaven lead Mosh Vain as the field approached the final bend with Jon Grisdale looking for the advantage of the cutaway rail aboard I’m Jacko as Enigami and Zapluck continued to make ground down the outside.
Slice of Heaven went into overdrive and the daughter of Rubick bounded clear from Enigami and Just Sizzling to score a comprehensive victory for popular Wauchope trainer, Colt Prosser, by just under two lengths.
Enigami was responsible for a solid effort to claim second after covering plenty of additional ground with Madame Bonser doing her best work late to claim third prize while Just Sizzling battled on and Zapluck yielded ground over the concluding stages.
Race 6 – MNCRA CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW – CL 4 HCP (1200 M)
Elusive Eagle was the pre-post favourite and continued to dominate market activity in the feature event on the card with some support for Texas Storm and a sprinkling of money for All Over Magic causing Bellastar and Dr Demon to ease from their earlier quotes.
Ben Looker began perfectly on Elusive Eagle and allowed the Allan Denham trained gelding to stride clear from Island Daze with Innervoice striding up boldly to be in a prominent early position.
Bellastar travelled in fourth position after obtaining cover behind Innervoice with Nombuso saving ground along the rails.
Texas Storm was covering plenty of additional ground around Secrets No More with Dr Demon dropping back towards the rear of the field with Charmmebaby while All Over Magic was a conspicuous last.
Elusive Eagle set a solid speed and swung the home bend with a good break before being challenged by Innervoice with Bellastar warming up to her task and Dr Demon working home well down the outside.
Innervoice started to yield ground as Elusive Eagle bounded clear with the Sidestep gelding racing away to score a dominant victory from Bellastar, who made up good ground late, while Texas Storm battled on well to claim third place after covering plenty of additional ground.
The run of Innervoice was full of merit as the chestnut filly was giving grade to the other runners in the event while Dr Demon ran an even race and All Over Magic failed to fire after being well back the entire journey.
Race 7 – GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP BM 58 HCP (1500 M)
Maid Marilyn was able to withstand the strong support for Hold all Tickets to hold onto favouritism with Firefly Poppy and easing third elect in front of Crazeelil.
Findellee began with gusto and Ben Looker allowed the Jason Deamer trained gelding to stride clear from Sandy Toes with Maid Marilyn handily positioned in third place.
Collingwood made a lightning move around Yarrinup Flyer to drive towards the lead with Crazeelil settling just off the pace and along the fence.
Firefly Poppy showed no early gate speed and Ashley Morgan was content to position the daughter of Ustinov back near the rear of the field in front of Waiheke Island.
Findellee set a blistering speed in front as Collingwood worked hard to land in second place down the backstraight in front of Sandy Toes with Maid Marilyn obtaining cover on the outside of Crazeelil while Yarrinup Flyer was handy and Firefly Poppy continued to be at the rear of proceedings.
Collingwood started to feel the pinch as Findellee continued to set the speed and maintain a sizeable lead approaching the home turn with Stephen Traecey angling into the clear on Yarrinup Flyer as Maid Marilyn obtained cover behind it.
Findellee began to weaken at the distance marker when Yarrinup Flyer raced to the lead with Maid Marilyn in hot pursuit while Firefly Poppy was flashing home down the outside section of the course.
Despite being a little wayward over the concluding stages, Firefly Poppy was able to provide Jim Jarvis with another training victory in an extremely close finish over Firefly Poppy and Maid Marilyn.
The effort of Firefly Poppy was outstanding considering the amount of ground she had to make up from near the rear of the field while a protest lodged by Emily Atkinson against the winner claiming her mount, Maid Marilyn, was interfered with was dismissed.
Horses to Follow
Zaru, Madame Bonser, Firefly Poppy
