Port Macquarie race review, Friday 21 January 2022
After landing her debut victory on Cool Missile at the circuit a fortnight ago, Shayleigh Ingelse was able to stride clear on Cecilia and claim a magnificent victory in the $65,000 GemLife Queen of the North at Port Macquarie on Friday.
The promising apprentice was able to sit just behind Gold Bracelet in the early stages before the daughter of Darci Brahma raced clear down the home running to land the feature by just under two lengths.
It was a wonderful early thrill for Ingelse to score on the Aleacia Bennett trained mare which provided only her second overall success and the excitement together with a beaming smile was on display for the large crowd in attendance.
Cecilia dashed clear down the home running and was able to repel the late challenge of Chase My Crown to score with Tawfiq Lass sliding along the fence to land third in front of Off Her Roca.
Empowerment was handily positioned throughout the race and was responsible for an even performance to finish just behind the placegetters in front of Oh Say while Gold Bracelet set the early tempo before yielding ground over the latter stages of the event.
Cecilia has been a wonderful money spinner for connections and victory took her record to five wins and six placings from twenty appearances with a prizemoney tally of around $130,000.
The program featured a day of multiple victories for jockeys and trainers alike with Koby Jennings and Cejay Graham responsible for riding doubles while Nathan Doyle trained two winners.
The day commenced well for Jennings when the accomplished hoop was able to claim the opening event aboard the Nathan Doyle trained mare, Millennium Jewel, before steering Holy Tycoon down the crown of the track to break her maiden status for Todd Howlett later in the program.
The Doyle stable enjoyed success later in the day when Madi Derrick drove Impulse Control along the fence with the Exceed and Excel mare scoring a comprehensive victory by around two lengths.
Cejay Graham has recently returned to the saddle after an extended injury break and her first win of the card was a wonderful thrill as she was able to combine with her father, Peter, to land a narrow victory on Gold Card.
This was the first win for the father and daughter combination as Gold Card was able to withstand the finishing effort of Whatever I Say to claim the second race by the long neck margin.
The successful day continued when the popular hoop was able to steer Crowned Empress along the inside of Nevada Smoke and the John Sprague trained mare was able to stave off the late move of Boncassie to land a confident betting plunge.
The wonderful strike rate enjoyed on the North Coast by the Allan Denham stable continued when Aaron Bullock was able to steer Fantasy Eagle into the clear to claim the Class 3 Handicap over Endorphins while Rocstar Boy finished powerfully to land the final event.
The Port circuit recovered from the unsettled weather that featured over the previous week to provide an even surface for racing with winners coming from various positions throughout the afternoon.
The Port Macquarie Race Club was proud to welcome representatives from GemLife Rainbow Beach and are greatly appreciative of their sponsorship for one of the feature meetings on the racing calendar.
Located in the beautiful coastal town of Lake Cathie, GemLife Rainbow Beach will offer a tranquil sanctuary in an area renowned for its extraordinary natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle.
The next meeting to be conducted at the circuit is on Sunday 7th February with a quality program featuring the Mid North Coast Racing Association Country Championship Preview. General admission tickets can be pre-booked or purchased on race day with further information regarding reserved seating available by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.
Review
Race 1 – GEMLIFE RAINBOW BEACH MAIDEN PLATE (1500 M)
Miss Calculation was the ruling favourite for the event with a spirited move for Summit Special propelling the Kris Lees trained gelding into second elect in front of Millennium Jewel and Sindagar with Cantrell just under a double figure quote.
Koby Jennings positioned Millennium Jewel in second position as Cantrell dictated terms in the lead with Miss Calculation travelling just off the speed on the inside of Spectacular Slew.
Summit Special was on the rails in the centre of the field while Cejay Graham allowed Sindagar to settle near the tail of proceedings and spotted the leaders around a dozen lengths. Millennium Jewel moved up to challenge Cantrell as the field headed for the judge and the Nathan Doyle trained mare was able to withstand the finishing challenge of Miss Calculation and Summit Special to land the prize by around a length while Sindagar failed to make any ground over the concluding stages and finished near the rear of the field.
Race 2 – GEMLIFE RAINBOW BEACH CG&E MAIDEN HCP (1100 M)
Welloutofreach held the call over Gulf of Tomini with Gold Card a well-supported third elect in front of Rockbarton Pat.
Rockbarton Pat raced to the early lead from Phases with Gold Card travelling in third position on the inside of Welloutofreach while Gulf of Tomini raced out of his ground in the early stages before commencing a run approaching the home bend.
Rockbarton Pat tried to lift in the straight as Aaron Bullock made a move on Welloutofreach before Gold Card commenced a run and Whatever I Say moved to the centre of the track. Gold Card raced to the lead halfway down the straight and Cejay Graham was able to drive the son of Unencumbered to the lead before withstanding the late rally of Whatever I Say to land a decisive victory with Welloutofreach hanging on for third prize.
Race 3 –GEMLIFE RAINBOW BEACH F&M MAIDEN HCP (1100 M)
Holy Tycoon was the popular elect over Pressita with My One the only other runner considered a chance in the race despite drifting almost two points in betting.
Koby Jennings allowed Holy Tycoon to camp just behind the leaders as Parties Galore dictated terms in the lead from Limpida and Montana Princess with Dreamawin working around the field and Pressita obtaining cover behind it.
Parties Galore tried to lift as the field wheeled the home turn and was able to shake off the challenge of Limpida before Pressita made a move with Holy Tycoon and My One asked for their efforts down the crown of the track.
Holy Tycoon came with a paralysing burst and raced clear to score an outstanding victory from Parties Galore with Wannawinwin making up good ground to claim third in front of My One and Pressita.
Race 4 – GEMLIFE RAINBOW BEACH CL 2 HCP- RISING STAR HEAT (1000 M)
Crowned Empress was backed to the exclusion of all other runners and the John Sprague trained mare started as ruling favourite over Hauraki Gulf, Ready to Chase and Nevada Smoke with Boncassie drifting noticeably throughout betting operations.
Nevada Smoke began well before being attacked for the lead by Ready to Chase with Crowned Empress slotting into third position on the inside of Hauraki Gulf and Boncassie.
Georgina McDonnell drifted to the centre of the course on Nevada Smoke as the field headed for the judge and was able to shake off the attack of Ready to Chase before Crowned Empress worked up on the inside of the leader and Boncassie made a move down the outside section of the course. Crowned Empress raced to a clear lead and was able to stave off the finishing burst of Boncassie to score by a narrow margin with She’s Spicy making up many lengths to land the minor prize in front of Nevada Smoke.
Race 5 – GEMLIFE RAINBOW BEACH CL 3 HCP (1500 M)
Fantasy Eagle was the firm elect over Flying Pretty with Jet Pack easing three points in the marketplace while Wonfontein was the only other runner considered a genuine chance.
Jet Pack bounced to the early lead before being clearly headed by Tears of Effort as Wonfontein charged around the field to claim the front.
Flying Pretty travelling in the centre of the field on the outside of One Star Shining with Fantasy Eagle obtaining a great trail one horse off the rails.
Tears of Effort arrested the lead from Wonfontein as the field rounded the final bend before Flying Pretty moved towards the leaders as Fantasy Eagle and Endorphins commenced their runs down the outside. Aaron Bullock punched Fantasy Eagle to the lead in the shadows of the post and the Allan Denham trained gelding was able to cling on for victory from Endorphins and Jet Pack with Full Press making up many lengths from the tail of the field to finish just behind the placegetters.
Race 6 – GEMLIFE RAINBOW BEACH BM 66 HCP (1100 M)
Tequila Cabos was well supported and claimed the favourite position over Impulse Control with Mr Grumpy attracting plenty of followers on the third line of betting.
Mr Grumpy began awkwardly but Madeline Owen was able to balance the Todd Payne trained gelding to claim the lead from Swamp Nation and Impulse Control with Tequila Cabos settling just off the pace on the inside of Nikki Knee Knack.
Mr Grumpy and Swamp Nation had a great duel and the pair straightened for the run home together before Madi Derrick worked underneath the pair on Impulse Control as Nikki Knee Knack and Tequila Cabos began making ground down the centre of the course. Impulse Control darted along the fence and the Nathan Doyle trained mare was able to repel the late run by Nicci Knee Knack and Being Naughty to claim the prize with Tequila Cabos finishing in fourth position in front of Mr Grumpy.
Race 7 –GEMLIFE QUEEN OF THE NORTH – F&M BENCHMARK 74 HCP (1200 M)
Empowerment held the call in a wide market over Tawfiq Lass and Chase My Crown with Oh Say easing a point in wagering operations while Cecila figured just under the double figure quote.
Cecilia began beautifully before being clearly headed by last year’s winner, Gold Bracelet, with Oh Say camped just behind the leaders on the inside Empowerment.
Chase My Crown camped just off the early pace and obtained a trail behind Empowerment with Tawfiq Lass well positioned on the inside of Off Her Roca.
Cecilia rounded up Gold Bracelet as the field headed for the judge and Shayleigh Ingelse was able to dash the daughter of Darci Brahma to a clear lead before Chase My Crown and Off her Roca began their runs down the centre of the track as Tawfiq Lass began sliding along the fence. Cecilia was able to maintain the front position down the home running and the Aleacia Bennett trained mare was able to land the feature by just under two lengths from Chase My Crown with Tawfiq Lass saving valuable ground along the inside to grab third in front of Off her Roca, Empowerment and Oh Say.
Race 8 – GEMLIFE RAINBOW BEACH CL 1 HCP (1200 M)
Zaru was confidently supported as popular pick with plenty of confidence around the chances of Greenheart with Rocstar Boy a firm third pick while Highbury drifted alarmingly to be on the next line of betting.
Greenheart dictated terms to suit before being attacked in the early stages of the event by Offyarocatwo with Seething Chuck easing out of the early speed battle in front of Highbury.
Vaporetto was travelling three horses from the rails in the centre of the pack in front of Zaru with Rocstar Boy content to position on the outside before commencing a move on the point of the home bend.
Greenheart raced to the lead down the home running but was no match for the outstanding finishing burst of Rocstar Boy with Matthew McGuren steering the Angela Davies trained gelding to a comprehensive win while Zaru was able to cut Greenheart out of second position. Highbury ran an even race to figure just behind the placegetters at the gelding’s second run from a lengthy break in front of Offyarocatwo and Sippin Season.
Horses to follow
Wannawinwin, Boncassie, Full Press
