Port Macquarie preview – Sunday 8 February 2026
With the prospect of an Evergreen Country Championship inclusion high on the agenda, Pony Soprano looks set for a forward showing in the Fishers Plumbing Plus Handicap on Team Good Thanks Mystery Box Rally Race Day at Port Macquarie on Sunday.
Described as a galloper who ticks every box by Robert Agnew, the prominent local trainer identified the ability of the son of Thronum from the start after saluting on debut in Super Maiden company at Coffs Harbour two years ago.
Dual Port victories soon followed before Pony Soprano headed to Sydney and solid placings resulted in Highway company before being spelled following with the most recent third at Randwick behind Lovewillcomelater last November.
With two even barrier trial performances in preparation for the weekend assignment and a great strike rate when resuming, the flashy chestnut has great prospects in the feature race on the program before possible progression to further success.
Dan Peisley’s engagement provides further confidence with the naturally gifted hoop enjoying a wonderful run of success in recent times following multiple victories at Murwillumbah and Grafton.
It is significant that Peisley is making the journey from the far north of the state to ride all Robert Agnew trained gallopers on the program and that Pony Soprano has been scratched from Randwick this Saturday to concentrate on the Port mission.
The assignment won’t be easy as cases can be made for many horses in the event headed by Kaihoko, Pratt, Pears Treasure, Buck Pharoah and Supreme Command.
Colt Prosser has been extremely patient with Kaihoko and the prominent Wauchope trainer sent his Dundeel gelding for a break after beginning awkwardly and being checked in vital parts of the home running at Warwick Farm last May.
A prior Highway win at Canterbury followed by a great second behind Jumeirah Beach at Doomben puts Kaihoko at the head of discussions for the event and two even Port trials provides faith for a forward showing.
Pearls Treasure accounted for Pratt last start last start while Supreme Command and Buck Pharoah should be included in the chances for this extremely open race on the program.
Kahraba followed up from a luckless second behind Ocean Tsunami at Taree before being narrowly defeated in a blanket finish at Wyong last start and the Denim Wynen trained mare should be highly competitive in the Great Northern Hotel Kempsey Plate.
Sosueme is a recent arrival to the Neil Godbolt stable and should provide bright prospects for early success in the following race with the appointment of star apprentice, Jett Newman, ensuring solid support from punters.
After successive wins at Scone and Port Macquarie before incurring a four length defeat at Randwick behind Kingdom Undersiege a fortnight ago, Athena’s Treasure should return to the winner’s circle in the Haralec Rising Star Heat for apprentice riders while the two divisions of the Maiden Plate provide plenty of chances, particularly from the unraced division.
Team Good Thanks Mystery Box Rally is one of the largest community lead fundraising events for Cancer Council in Australia having raised over $8 million in the last 12 years. This year’s rally will incorporate driving a car that is 25 years or older along outback roads commencing at Charleville.
The race day is special as everyone comes together to raise vital funds and awareness to support the Cancer Council and the Port club is honoured to welcome and thank Australian Rugby league Immortal, Andrew Johns, for his attendance as a very special guest.
Johns will be making an appearance at a fund-raising luncheon with tickets available for $175 and providing a wonderful highlight for racing and sporting fans alike together while providing vital funds for this great cause.
Thanks also to our valued sponsors for their support for this tremendous day of racing including North Coast Marble & Granite, Great Northern Hotel Kempsey, Macquarie Signs, Haralec, Port Cranes Fishers Plumbing Plus and the Laurieton Hotel.
Char Bar Catering will be providing the first-class dining options at the racing complex and there will be wagering and bar facilities available on the day to with plenty of excellent viewing options and spacious lawns to enjoy the action.
A reminder that all roads lead to the Port circuit on Sunday 22nd February for the Evergreen Turf Mid North Coast Country Championship Qualifier as some of the district’s finest local gallopers strive to progress towards the rich final at Randwick in early April.
With action packed racing, live entertainment, Fashions on the Field and an atmosphere worthy of such a prestigious NSW Country Championships series, the stage is set for a great day for all attending.
Further information regarding reserved seating in the Ivan Livermore Stand for these two great days of racing is available by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.
Selections
Race 1 – 1:40PM NORTH COAST MARBLE & GRANITE COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1509 METRES)
1 Dunstall the Gun, 7 Pear Bellini, 4 Argerich
Race 2 – 2:20PM GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL KEMPSEY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1812 METRES)
9 Kahraba, 3 Lone Star Dream, 7 Bold Splendor
Race 3 – 3:00PM MACQUARIE SIGNS F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1106 METRES)
4 Sosueme, 6 Embodiment, 13 The Netball Queen
Race 4 – 3:40PM HARELEC CLASS 3 HANDICAP HEAT OF THE RISING STAR (1509 METRES)
3 Athena’s Treasure, 5 Highly Tempted, 6 Spandex
Race 5 – 4:20PM PORT CRANES CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1106 METRES)
9 Juvenal, 5 Dunquin, 2 He’s Cool
Race 6 – 4:55PM FISHERS PLUMBING PLUS BENCHMARK 74 HANDICAP (1106 METRES)
5 Pony Soprano, 4 Kaihoko, 6 Pratt
Race 7 – 5:35PM LAURIETON HOTEL COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1206 METRES)
3 Aye Aye Skipper, 4 Wanjina Rose, 6 All Too Rosey
