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Prime Impact scores dominant victory in Port Cup Prelude

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Port Macquarie Review – Sunday 29th September 2024

The dimensions surrounding the club’s premier event became a great deal clearer when Prime Impact stormed to victory in the WIN Network Port Macquarie Cup Prelude on a successful resumption to racing at the circuit last Sunday.

With the first two placegetters gaining exemptions in the final field for the $200,000 Port Cup to be conducted on Friday week and the opportunity for qualification into the massive prizemoney pool available for The Big Dance at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day, there was a lot at stake.

In a race charged with drama from the start, Ben Osmond was able to begin well on Prime Impact and scout wide on the first turn which proved to be a distinct advantage as he navigated around early trouble to race clear of the pack.

The inside runners were disadvantaged when Ben Looker parted company on Commander Bill, and this caused a chain reaction through the field primarily involving Stratum Chief and Kikikapow.

Looker was able to extricate himself from the track and watched from the outside fence as his galloper worked up riderless to challenge Prime Impact down the back straight.

Ben Osmond was gaining no favours on the son of Snitzel as the escapee kept persevering for the lead before Seething Chuck challenged down the side of the track as Our Bambino angled for a run through the centre of the pack.

Over the years it has become extremely rare for the Kris Lees stable to leave the prominent North Coast track without a winner and this again eventuated as Prime Impact raced clear to score by a length in the prelude with Our Bambino also progressing with a solid second while Subuki worked home well for the minor prize.

Get Some Fun was awarded the honour of winning the first race on the newly constructed circuit with a comprehensive victory in the Maiden Plate after showing blistering speed and racing clear to score by just over four lengths.

Maddie Owen allowed the daughter of Wandjina to establish a clear lead down the side of the circuit and the filly provided mum, Karen, a deserved win with the promising filly over Diamondsaremio.

After enduring a desperate challenge down the home running with Suay Mam’selle and withstanding the strong late surge by Rebel One, Rock are Steiner provided Peter Graham with a deserved success in the second event.

Riding honours on the program centred around Liam Blanch when the promising hoop saluted on Dehero in the Class 1 Handicap followed by Agirlsbestfriend later in the program.

His ride on Dehero was full of quality as he was able to work close to the rails on the Carlos Antonio trained mare before withstanding the flashing runs of Spring Eagle and Casino Bear to score by the narrowest of margins in a decisive finish.

On a day when being on the speed was somewhat advantageous, Blanch was responsible for a masterful ride on Agirlsbestfriend as he manoeuvred the Marc Quinn trained backmarker towards the leaders approaching the home bend before kicking away for a quality win.

There was no prouder person on track than David Blanch as the club’s Senior Vice President outlined the challenges his son had encountered in returning to the saddle with all in racing wishing Liam continued success.

The victory by Agirlsbestfriend also provided prominent local trainer, Marc Quinn, a training double after Crowie’s Shout landed the prize in an earlier event.

The son of Xtravagant was confidently ridden by Claire Ramsbotham and dominated rivals on Crowie’s Shout to account for Highly Tempted and Doolie by over two lengths when the judge called a halt.

De Poet was confidently supported into favouritism in the final race on the program and was able to withstand the finishing efforts of October Revolution, Time for Victory and Buck Pharoah to claim a narrow win for the training and riding combination of Terry Evans and Emily Farr.

A large and enthusiastic crowd witnessed the first meeting conducted on the recently renovated course proper and the reports from racing participants were generally positive.

The stage is now set for a wonderful day of racing at Port Macquarie with the $200,000 Cup program scheduled for Friday 11th October.

All roads will lead to the popular north coast racing venue on that day and the club has left no stone unturned in providing the best possible sporting experience.

Further information regarding bookings for Port Cup Day are available on the club’s web site and by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.

Newly elected chairman of the Port Macquarie Race Club, David Todd, and his committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience while the major track renovation occurred and greatly appreciate the assistance and cooperation provided by Racing NSW.

The work should provide great reward for all concerned and propel the club into the next millennium as one of the leaders in the industry.

Horses to follow

  • Diamondsaremio
  • Rebel One
  • Flyball

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