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By Rod Fuller

With Sunday’s WIN Television Sales Port Macquarie Cup Prelude highlighting a tremendous day of racing action and providing automatic qualification to the club’s premier event, Auzstar looks well placed to take the next step towards cup glory.

There would be no prouder man than Marc Quinn if his Zoustar gelding was able to earn a spot in the blue-ribbon event on the North Coast racing calendar and raise the coveted trophy next month.

Pat Quinn was a highly respected thoroughbred trainer in an illustrious career and Marc gained priceless lessons from his father before broadening horizons in Ireland under the guidance of world-renowned mentor, Dermot Weld.

Port Macquarie-based trainer Marc Quinn. Image by Bradley Photographers

He returned to Australia and obtained valuable experience from working with the likes of John Hawkes and Peter Snowden before establishing his own training hub at Port and immediately gained success with his hands on approach together with the respect from his racing peers.

Auzstar looks to have high credentials in the Cup Prelude after resuming from an eight-week spell with a gallant second behind Tavros in the Moree Cup in late August before being beaten under two lengths by Lugh in the Tuncurry Cup a fortnight ago.

The flashy bay gelding represented the local area in the 2024 Country Championship Final at Randwick and has strong credentials for this assignment after victory in the Merriwa Cup when last in work.

The engagement of Matt McGuren for the mount provides further confidence as the prominent hoop is enjoying a great run of success in recent times after numerous victories at Port, Grafton and Moree over the past month.

Possessing a pattern of racing close to the speed, which could prove advantageous, there are plenty of positives around the chances of Auzstar in his quest towards Port Cup greatness with Gandolfini providing strong resistance following a recent treble of wins.

After tasting success at Tuncurry in early March, the son of Casino Prince capitalised with two further wins before being sent to the spelling paddock with a solid resumption behind Show ‘Em Howl at the circuit three weeks ago indicating a forward showing is expected.

Other chances centre around Dance Dance Dance with the Darren Treacy-trained gelding responsible for an impressive local win after resuming from a break of six months.

Carmine was responsible for an outstanding debut second behind Andale Andale at Tuncurry and the Lyndall Olson-trained gelding looks set to dominant discussions in the Super Maiden Plate.

The son of Vancouver will derive great experience after coming from the rear of the field when facing the starter for the first time and made up an enormous amount of ground over the concluding stages to be defeated around two lengths.

Phoenix Power is poised for further riches in the fourth event after the son of Tosen Stardom impressed with a dominant win at Coffs Harbour in early September following a resumption from a lengthy break.

Darren Treacy puts the polish on the bay gelding and is enjoying an extraordinary run of success after leading three winners to the winner’s circle from five starters since relocating to his new training complex at Taree.

Mollie Fitzgerald returns to Port on the weekend and the highly regarded apprentice will hope to provide the key for Buck Pharaoh in accounting for rivals in the final race on the program.

The Neil Godbolt-trained gelding was narrowly defeated by Wine Time in the feature sprint at Bowraville last weekend and the consistent chestnut deserves further rewards with an outstanding winning record at his home track propelling the local galloper to the head of discussions.

Port Macquarie Race Club is honoured by the continued support provided by WIN Television in this important lead up race on the calendar with race names carrying some of the great entertainment programs available on the network.

With the promise of fine weather conditions and strong final acceptances, the racing complex should be a hive of activity with full betting service on the local and away meetings together with great food and refreshments supplied by Char Bar Catering.

And a reminder that Port Macquarie's biggest social event is back with the running of the 2025 Carlton Dry 3.5 Port Macquarie Cup to be held on Friday 10th October and it provides the perfect opportunity to dress up and enjoy a day out.

There are plenty of hospitality packages available to suit all tastes and the Brookvale Union Lawn Party will be in full operation together with substantial prizes on offer for the Fashions on the Field categories.

This year’s carnival is a two-day extravaganza with Port City Bowling Club Race Day following on Saturday 11th October and details regarding general admission tickets together with reserved seating in the Ivan Livermore Stand are available by contacting Club on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 - 1:20PM MAFS COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1006M): 10 Varazze, 6 Novaya, 9 The Simple Life
Race 2 - 1:55PM THE BLOCK COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1006M): 9 Mystic Way, 2 Launch Sequence, 6 Nerola
Race 3 - 2:30PM GOLDEN BACHELOR SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1509M): 1 Carmine, 7 Send a Telegram, 8 Sethfire
Race 4 - 3:06PM AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1509M): 2 Phoenix Power, 1 Mon Amore, 3 Nay Pee Cee
Race 5 - 3:41PM DEAL OR NO DEAL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1206M): 7 Dizzy Dee, 8 Dreymon, 12 Allberin
Race 6 - 4:24PM WIN TELEVISION SALES PORT MACQUARIE CUP PRELUDE BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP (1812M): 1 Auzstar, 8 Gandolfini, 4 Casino Bear
Race 7 - 5:00PM BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL BENCHMARK 74 HANDICAP (1006M): 2 Buck Pharoah, 8 Floss’s One, 1 Bomarea

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Port Macquarie here