Port Macquarie race preview – Monday 18 May 2026
With multiple victories under her belt and a stable flying at present, Diva Rouge looks set to complete the hattrick in the John Oxley Motors Handicap on a massive day of racing action at Port Macquarie on Monday.
The daughter of Red Henno positioned just behind the early leaders before producing a paralysing burst to break her maiden status in dominant fashion at Armidale last March.
Despite the prospect of heavy track conditions at Coffs Harbour a fortnight ago, Jake Hull had no hesitation in making the journey from his Gosford training base and the mare returned the favour in spades by revelling in the ground to score a comprehensive victory.
The prospect of a similar surface on Monday should provide further confidence around the chances of Diva Rouge to continue the great run of success being enjoyed by the Jake Hull stable.
After a successful career as a jockey was punctuated by injury and weight issues, Hull embarked on a training career as assistant to his old master, Grant Allard, before embarking on a solo venture in late 2022.
His first victory occurred at Taree in December of the same year after presenting Goofy Mick to the track following a break of sixteen months and the son of Canford Cliffs finished with a strong burst down the crown of the track to easily account for Markwell Dreamer and Salad Dodger.
Recent victories at Grafton, Taree, Coffs Harbour and Quirindi has propelled the popular young mentor to forty eight career wins and the half century mark should be a forgone conclusion with Diva Rouge heading the charge.
Shannen Llewellyn has been engaged to continue her association with the mare and a recent move to Newcastle has seen the promising apprentice continue to enjoy great success and this was highlighted by another metropolitan win at Canterbury last month aboard The Face.
The Matt Dunn stable is poised to provide a strong challenge in the event with Lovecats resuming from a spell of six months when posting a narrow victory at the Sunshine Coast while Ruprestris is a lightly raced son of Kingman with a good early record.
The preparation of the team has been affected by the rain affected conditions in the northern part of the state and this could be a deciding factor as to whether the stable make the Port journey or travel elsewhere.
Nick Heywood would be hoping many of Matt Dunn’s horses travel from their Murwillumbah training base as the highly accomplished jockey has many strong chances on the card.
The hard working and talented hoop has enjoyed a wonderful career in the south of the state and this was highlighted with victory aboard Missile Leader in the Ulladulla Cup at Moruya last weekend and will make the northern journey with bright prospects peppered throughout the day.
It is significant that he has been engaged to ride Zouboy in the Panthers Port Macquarie Maiden Plate asthe gelding makes his initial track appearance after two solid trial efforts at provincial circuits in preparation for the assignment.
The clash with Shuda Known provides plenty of interest as the Kris Lees trained gelding has similar credentials but keen form students believe an outside draw should turn the tables towards Zouboy
After resuming from an injury enforced break, Aaron Bullock returned with a riding double at Mudgee last weekend and has many strong chances commencing with British Gem in race two.
The Kris Lees trained filly deserves a maiden victory following strong placings at Scone and Wyong over the past six weeks and has a drawn a very suitable assignment while Archie Maximus looks hard to beat in the penultimate race if connections elect to capitalise on the geldings last start Grafton success.
With much of the northern part of the state being hit with heavy rainfall and trainers anxiously looking to start their gallopers, the club will present a mammoth nine race program with capacity fields throughout the afternoon.
A huge thanks also goes to valued sponsors including Flower Hotels, Port City Bowling Club, Panthers Port Macquarie, Char Bar Catering, John Oxley Motors, Carlton Dry, BNCC Security Services, De Bortoli Wines and Tabcorp.
Under the banner of Roast Race Day, Char Bar Catering will be providing the first-class dining options at the racing complex and there will be comprehensive bar and snack facilities available on the day with plenty of excellent viewing options and spacious lawns to enjoy the action.
Racing continues at the circuit with a midweek fixture scheduled for Tuesday 23 May 2026 and further details regarding reserved seating in the Ivan Livermore Stand is available by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.
Information is also available on the club’s sparkling new web page which provides comprehensive details regarding all facets of their operations in a user friendly and easy to follow format.
Selections
Race 1 – 11:40AM FLOWER HOTELS COUNTRY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1206 M)
1 Adequate Eze, 5 Poetic Angel, 2 Ordinary Angel
Race 2 –12:10PM PORT CITY BOWLING CLUB MAIDEN PLATE (1509 M)
9 British Gem, 7 Thunder Lights, 2 Dancing Tilda
Race 3 – 12:45PM PANTHERS PORT MACQUARIE MAIDEN PLATE (1006 M)
6 Zouboy, 12 Shuda Known, 7 Love You Anyway
Race 4 – 1:20PM CHAR BAR CATERING CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1206 M)
3 Too Hot to Torque, 4 Storm Merchant, 2 Oakfield Neptune
Race 5 – 1:55PM JOHN OXLEY MOTORS CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1206 M)
2 Diva Rouge, 7 Rupestris, 3 The Magic Man
Race 6 – 2:35PM CARLTON DRY BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1106 M)
7 Glam, 8 Salma’s Star, 1 Snow Falcon
Race 7 – 3:10PM BNCC SECURITY SERVICES BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1106 M)
9 Too Darn Finesse, 2 Ensign Parker, 1 Gaylord
Race 8 – DE BORTOLI WINES BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1509 M)
2 Archie Maximus, 4 Autumn Miss, 11 Dianella
Race 9 – 4:25PM TAB.COM.AU COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1006 M)
2 Permission Granted, 1 Agent Max, 3 Youwroteuponit
