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Day to remember for Milligan family at Port Macquarie

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Port Macquarie racing review, Friday 16 April 2021

Following a training treble on the program and many winners owned by close family and friends, the Milligan training establishment was the dominant force at the Port Macquarie race meeting on Friday.

With Bob’s experience and expertise as patriarch of the team and the operational guidance of son, Glen, the stable was successful in landing a treble with wins by Being Naughty, Hold all Tickets and Dr Demon.

Dylan Gibbons
Dylan Gibbons following his win on Hold All Tickets.
Photo: Rod Fuller

Being Naughty commenced the winning cycle in the John Oxley Motors Maiden Plate with a barnstorming run to claim Ralph’s Folly and race clear over the concluding stages to score by over three lengths.

Hold all Tickets was given a soft run along the rails by Dylan Gibbons before the mare peeled around the leaders and finished over the top of Condover Hall while Dr Demon landed some good wagers in taking out the Benchmark 66 Handicap.

It has been a huge week for the Milligan stable with Charmmebaby running a gallant third placing in the Newhaven Park Country Championship Final at Randwick last weekend with the Port results putting the icing on the cake.

Aaron Bullock enjoyed a successful day with wins to Being Naughty and Dr Demon for the Milligan family and his riding skills and strength were seen to advantage throughout the program.

It was a day for multiple victories for trainers and jockeys alike with the Nathan Doyle stable commencing the day well by saluting with Unwavering Faith before Oslo scored a comprehensive victory in race five.

There was drama prior to the event when Oslo dislodged Dylan Gibbons on the way to the barrier stalls before going for a playful canter down to the 1500 metre chute.

Following a veterinary examination, the son of Pierro was passed fit to race and travelled wide before racing clear of the pre-race favourite, Nicci Trix, to score a dominant win.

Nicci Trix battled on at her debut run from a spell despite not finishing the event as expected and will be assessed by Jenny Graham and her specialist team over the next few days.

Wins by Oslo and Dr Demon resulted in a riding double to Dylan Gibbons with the promising apprentice taking his season winning tally to forty seven.

The day also proved successful for popular Wyong mentor, Damien Lane, with Impact Star defying a betting drift to take out the second event before Too Good to Be True landed some huge wagers when sailing down the outside the land the final race on the card.

Oh Say broke her maiden status for the Neil Godbolt stable in the De Bortoli Wines Maiden Plate with Louise Day bullocking into the clear after being pocketed down the home running by Mr Pointer to score by just under a length.

Racing was conducted under relatively fine skies with the enthusiastic crowd enjoying racing on a soft five surface which provided winners from all parts of the track.

Races on the program carry the names of Carlton Dry, Great Northern, 4 Pines Pacific Ale, De Bortoli Wines, John Oxley Motors, Schweppes, and Trackside Photography with the club encouraging everyone to support these fine products.

The next meeting listed to be conducted at the track is on Monday 26th April with full details of future dates detailed on the Racing NSW and Port Macquarie Club web sites.

The complex remains a Covid-19 safe environment and 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.

Review

Race 1 –SCHWEPPES MAIDEN HCP (1500 M)

Unwavering Faith was heavily supported into an odds-on favourite for the event over Owned Up with Curioso drifting noticeably on the third line of betting while there was some support at value prices for Rainbow Man.

Samantha Clenton allowed Owned Up to dictate terms in the lead from My Kristine with Curioso camped third on the inside of Rainbow Man while Unwavering Faith was in the second half of the field before Ashley Morgan made a move approaching the home bend.

Owned Up still had a good lead as the field headed for home before being challenged by Curioso with Rainbow Man forced wide and Unwavering Faith hooked to the outside.

Curioso claimed the lead half-way down the straight but was no match for the finishing effort of Unwavering Faith with the Nathan Doyle trained filly scoring by a long neck while Rainbow Man battled on well for third.

Race 2 – TRACKSIDE PHOTOGRAPHY 2YO HCP (1000 M)

Reggie’s Boy was one of many horses having their debut runs, and punters rallied confidently about the chances of the Angela Davies trained gelding by backing him into a ruling elect with the weight of money causing Impact Star to drift over a point while Swamp Nation was solid on the third line of betting in front of Adelinda.

Dawntillarvi had the race experience and piloted the field over Swamp Nation with Darryl McLellan holding the inside position aboard Impact Star and Adelinda handily positioned while Reggie’s Boy was a horse off the rails in the second half of the field.

Impact Star was able to work up underneath Dawntillarvi in the straight and the Damien Lane trained gelding was able to race clear to score by two lengths with Imatruestar making up an enormous amount of ground from well back to cut Adelina out of the minor prize and Reggie’s Boy heading the remainder of the field.

Race 3 – DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN PLATE (3YO+) (1000 M)

Oh Say was the heavily labelled favourite over Two Gems with some late support for Deora while all other runners were into a double figure quote headed by Pollard.

Following the late scratching at the barrier of Emporia, Arlizar and Pollard set the tempo in the event with Mr Pointer well positioned in third place on the outside of Oh Say and Deora camped off the pace while Two Gems began awkwardly and was back in second last placing.

Pollard gained the ascendancy over Arlizar in the run home with Mr Pointer chiming in three wide while Louise Day became pocketed on Oh Say as the Neil Godbolt trained filly was caught behind the leaders.

Pollard pinched a break down the home running before Oh Say finally obtained clear galloping room underneath Mr Pointer with the daughter of Starspangled Banner pouncing upon the lead and racing clear to score a decisive victory over Mr Pointer with Pollard holding on for third in front of Deora.

Race 4 – JOHN OXLEY MOTORS MAIDEN PLATE (1200 M

Despite drifting from an even money quote in the early stages of betting, Hasalake held on to the favourite position from a significant move by Ralph’s Folly with Being Naughty a solid third elect over Vicky’s One.

Being Naughty began beautifully before being clearly headed by Ralph’s Folly with Schoona the Better in the early firing line and My Money Tree working into a prominent position on the outside.

Vicky’s One was back near the tail of the field on the inside of Hasalake while Cross Eyed Mary was a conspicuous last after missing the start hopelessly.

Ralph’s Folly headed the field approaching the home bend from My Money Tree with Aaron Bullock poised to pounce aboard Being Naughty as Schoona the Better stayed close to the rails and Hasalake commenced a move from well back.

Ralph’s Folly was no match for the finishing effort of Being Naughty with the Bob Milligan trained gelding scoring a comprehensive victory despite drifting to the centre of the track down the home running while Hasalake made up enormous ground down the outside to grab third.

Race 5 – 4 PINES PACIFIC ALE ON TAP CLASS 2 HCP (1000 M)

Nicci Trix was assessed by keen form students as the horse to beat and was backed accordingly to be a heavily supported favourite with Oslo assessed as the only horse considered a chance by tightening up a point in late wagering operations.

The start was delayed when Oslo dislodged Dylan Gibbons and proceeded to go for a gentle canter towards the 1500 metre chute with the course veterinary surgeon assessing the gelding and passing him fit to compete in the event.

Whatyoulookingat drove straight to the front over Nicci Trix with Adamdeeant working up to a prominent position around Vendome with Oslo travelling just off the pace and three horses wide.

The formation remained relatively unchanged with Whatyoulookingat heading for home with a good lead from Adamdeeant with Nicci Trix peeling to the centre of the track and Oslo commencing a run on the outside of her.

Nicci Trix was immediately under pressure as Dylan Gibbons moved towards the front on Oslo and swept past Whatyoulookingat to race clear over the concluding stages to score by just over two lengths.

Nicci Trix was able to claim second placing despite not stretching out as anticipated over the concluding stages while Zapluck stormed home from well back to cut Whatyoulookingat out of the minor prize.

Race 6 – GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1500 M)

Apache Belle tightened a point to be the popular pick in a wide market over Unearthed and Euroworld with Gogh Fox just under the double figure quote while there was a long priced move for the Neil Godbolt trained gelding, Flying Mojo.

Euroworld raced straight to the front from barrier rise from Maid Marilyn and Firefly Poppy with Condover Hall working around the field and Hold all Tickets sliding along the rails.

Ashley Morgan slackened the tempo down the back straight on Euroworld as Hold all Tickets continued to save ground along the fence and track the leader along with Condover Hall continuing to cover additional ground in front of Maid Marilyn.

Unearthed was in the centre of the pack around Apache Belle while Gough Fox was behind the pair and travelling safely on the inside of Midnight Rambler.

Euroworld straightened for the run to the judge as leader before Condover Hall issued a challenge with Hold all Tickets peeling around the leaders and Apache Belle continuing to make ground along the rails.

Hold All Tickets was able to gain the ascendency over Condover Hall and Euroworld over the concluding stages and the Glen Milligan trained mare scored by a half length with Our Girl Babs rattling home to gain third in front of Midnight Rambler and Unearthed.

Gogh Fox was beaten a fair way from home while Midnight Magic failed to jump from the barrier stalls and the stewards did enquire about the circumstances surrounding the incident before declaring the mare a definite starter and declaring correct weight.

Race 7 – CARLTON DRY ON TAP BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1200 M)

Dr Demon shortened a half point to claim the popular elect over Eighth Immortal with Two Up extremely firm in betting transactions over Meyer and Take to Heart.

Meyer jumped well before being headed by Hard Faith and Jirnaas with Lord Jaysea sliding along the rails and Dr Demon continuing to make ground on the outside.

Two Up was steadied in the second half of the field while Eighth Immortal was back in third last position on the outside of More Patasi and Hubble.

Hard Faith led the field clearly as the field rounding the home bend before being claimed by Dr Demon with the Bob Milligan trained gelding bounding clear to score by over two lengths from Hard Faith with Take to Heart working home well for third in front of Eighth Immortal and Two Up.

Race 8– CHEERS TO 60 KAREN OWEN CLASS 1 HCP (1200 M)

Faatinaat tightened a point to claim favouritism with Too Good to Be Tru having plenty of supporters while Tequila Cabos doubled her opening price in front of Hello Sunshine.

Hello Sunshine raced to the early lead from Haunting Spirit with Tequila Cabos camped just off the pace in third position on the inside of Telfer while Fartinaat was well placed in the centre of the pack in front of Too Good to Be Tru.

Haunting Spirit and Hello Sunshine turned for home together with Telfer peeling around the leaders while Faatinaat and Too Good to Be True commenced their runs.

Telfer raced to the lead down the home straight but was no match for the finishing burst of Too Good to Be True with the Damien Lane trained gelding racing clear to score a comprehensive victory while Faatinaat claimed third place.

Haunting Spirit held on well to finish just behind the placegetters with Enamour and Admiral Ash finishing the race off well while Tequila Cabos failed to lift over the concluding stages.

Horses to follow

Imatruestar, Hasalake, Zapluck

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