In a thrilling conclusion to the feature event on the program, Enamour was able to grip on for victory in the Club North Haven Camden Haven Cup at Port Macquarie on Saturday 28 August.

The daughter of Charm Spirit was driven to the early lead by promising young apprentice, Jackson Searle, before being clearly headed by Stylish Pattern with the pair setting a strong tempo in front before the home bend.

Searle peeled the mare around Stylish Pattern in the home straight and was able to establish a sizeable lead before Lord Jaysea and Innervoice commenced their runs down the crown of the track.

With the opposition finishing quickly, Enamour was able to cling to the lead in the shadows of the post and landed the prize by a narrow margin over Lord Jaysea with Innervoice making up an enormous amount of ground to claim the minor placing.

The victory was incredibly satisfying for former popular jockey and now established trainer, Tracey Bartley, who has extremely close ties to the district and now adds the cup to his increasing trophy cabinet.

Lord Jaysea was gallant in defeat after racing in parallel with his Neil Godbolt trained stablemate, Jazzles, for most of the trip while Mosh Vain lost no supporters when finishing just behind the placegetters.

Favourite punters started the day well when Nevada Smoke led throughout to break her maiden status in the GemLife Rainbow Beach Handicap.

The daughter of Zeebedee was taken straight to the early lead by Ben Looker and kicked clear down the home running for a resolute victory following two encouraging efforts at Port and Taree in preparation for the assignment.

Jim Louizoz only has a small training team in work and looks set for further success with the grey mare after landing victories in recent times with Danzibar Dancer and Flash Palace.

Off to Gilli travelled well off the rails in the early stages of the second event before Kirk Matheson moved up to challenge Fluids Up and Rewarding Trance in the straight.

The Colt Prosser trained gelding raced clear from the pack and landed victory by just over three lengths from Al Be Purple with Rewarding Trance holding on for third placing.

Avashin came from near the tail of the field before Georgina McDonnell came with a rattling run on the daughter of Eurozone to account for her rivals by just over a length in the following event.

Sirmaze continued the great run of success being enjoyed by Jasper Franklin when the Hampton Court gelding came through the centre of the pack in the Benchmark 50 Handicap while the Darryl McLellan and Damien Lane combination were successful in the final race when Oakfield Navajo scored by around two lengths.

The club is delighted to continue their great association with Club North Haven in the running of the Camden Haven Cup and encourage everyone to support this fine club when restrictions ease.

Other races on the program were named in honour of John Oxley Motors and Carlton Dry in recognition of their continued support provided over a long period of time together with GemLife Rainbow Beach who are set to provide a major sponsor deal for their premier fillies and mares event, $60,000 Queen of the North Handicap in January.

The Happy Birthday Philip Daley Handicap was the fourth event on the program as family and friends found a novel way to celebrate the birthday of a strong racing enthusiast in these current times.

The track was upgraded to a good rating and played well with winners racing on the speed or flashing home down the centre of the course.

Racing continues at Port with a solid seven event program scheduled for Monday 6 September with the extension of Covid restrictions preventing anyone other than essential personnel from attending.

Hopefully everything will be back to some semblance of normality for Friday 8 October when the club hosts their flagship meeting featuring showcase racing highlighted by the $200,000 Port Macquarie Cup and the $80,000 Birdon Group Sprint.

Review

Race 1 –GEMLIFE RAINBOW BEACH F&M MAIDEN HCP (1100 M)

Nevada Smoke was able to repel the sustained betting move for Latin Affair to hold on to favouritism with Poetic Star a noticeable drifter on the third line of betting in front of Bouquets and First Secret.

Ben Looker had no hesitation in allowing Nevada Smoke to stride clear in the early stages of the event from Latin Affair and First Secret before the Jim Louizos trained mare was able to repel the late challenges to score by just over two lengths.

Latin Affair battled on well to land second prize while the effort of Lucky One was strong after covering plenty of additional ground in the run.

Bouquets missed the start and that was the end of her chances while Poetic Star was well back throughout and failed to make any real ground over the concluding stages of the event.

Race 2 – JOHN OXLEY MOTORS CG&E MAIDEN HCP (1100 M)

He’s Purring was the very firm elect for the event over Fluids Up and Al Be Purple with Snobby Shores just under the double figure quote.

Off to Gilli was trapped wide behind the early pacemakers, Fluids Up and Rewarding Trance, before the son of The Factor was able to round up the leaders in the straight before powering away to score a comprehensive victory.

Fluids Up and Rewarding Trance had a bumping duel down the home running before Al Be Purple stormed home down the outside to claim second while He’s Purring ran an even race without threatening danger and Snobby Shores finished well back.

Race 3 – PORT MACQUARIE CUP 8/10 MAIDEN PLATE (1500 M)

Cooreei Lass was the easing favourite over Icafox with Anime a firm third pick while there was some confidence around Semifox who shortened from a double figure quote.

Avashin settled at the rear of the field with Another Sonnette before the Sean Blayden trained mare circled the field and raced clear over the concluding stages to claim Semifox and land the win by a length margin.

Another Sonette worked home stylishly down the outside to land second in front of Semifox while Anime raced on the speed with Little Miss Dotty before yielding ground over the concluding stages.

Icafox finished just behind the placings while Cooreei Lass travelled just off the speed before being disappointed for a run in the straight and failed to finish the event off.

Race 4 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHILLIP DALEY BENCHMARK 50 HCP (1500 M)

Sirmaze was the popular pick in a wide market with plenty of keen punters rallying to the chances of Devil’s Choice with Razano and Karloo Dreaming just under a double figure quote.

Razano and Tamlika jostled for the early lead before the pair were headed by Olivia Pickering aboard the Tom Higgins trained mare, Splash of Lime.

Jasper Franklin began well on Sirmaze and settled the son of Hampton Court just off the speed before bursting through the centre of the pack in the straight and withstanding the finishing burst of Solskjaer to score by a decisive margin.

Splash of Lime battled on well along the rails to claim the minor berth in front of Karloo Dreaming with Razano boxing on while Devils Choice was never a winning chance and finished near the tail of the field.

Race 5 – CLUB NORTH HAVEN CAMDEN HAVEN CUP BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1200 M)

Punters pinned their faith on Innervoice to land the feature with many considering Jazzles a solid option in betting activity while Enamour was a solid third elect over Mosh Vain.

Jackson Searle began well aboard Enamour and had an early duel for supremacy with Vintage Flyer before Stylish Pattern whipped around the field and set a solid tempo in the lead.

The Neil Godbolt trained gallopers, Lord Jaysea and Jazzles raced together in the centre of the field while Ash Morgan was content to settle Innervoice at the tail of the field some ten lengths behind the pacemakers.

Enamour challenged Stylish Pattern in the home straight and the Tracey Bartley trained mare raced to the lead before withstanding the finishing burst down the outside of Lord Jaysea to score by a narrow margin.

Innervoice stormed down the centre of the track to claim third prize in front of Mosh Vain while Jazzles ran an even race without threatening danger in the home straight.

Race 6 – CARLTON DRY CLASS 1 HCP (1200 M)

Oakfield Navajo remained rock solid throughout the wagering period over Admiral Ash with Pluckercarn attracting some confidence while Gumnuts tightened from around six points late in betting.

Noble Pluck and Oakfield Navajo set the tempo for most of the race before Darryl McLellan worked up on the outside aboard the latter as the field headed for home and raced the Damien Lane trained gelding to a clear lead.

The son of Supreme Class raced clear over the concluding stages to score a comprehensive win over Noble Pluck with Pluckercarn making up good ground to claim third placing in front of Admiral Ash, who had difficulty obtaining clear galloping room in the home straight.

Gumnuts settled in the second half of the field but didn’t complete the race off while Final Kawana was given every chance by Ray Spokes before fading noticeably in the run to the post.

Horses to follow

Another Sonette, Solskjaer, Admiral Ash