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By Rod Fuller

With two recent victories at Quirindi and Scone under his belt, a rider in form and the ability to handle rain-affected ground, there are plenty of positives around the chances of The Piccolino ($7.50 on TAB) in the final event on Master Builders Association Raceday at Port Macquarie on Friday.

The flashy chestnut broke his maiden status in dominant fashion when accounting for Devine Crusader at Quirindi in May before stepping up to Class 1 company with a narrow victory over Release Point a month later.

The next mission for the Paul Perry-trained gelding was to take on far more experienced gallopers and the judgement of the prominent Novocastrian trainer was nearly vindicated when the son of Wandjina ran a creditable third at Scone three weeks ago.

Mitchell Bell returns on The Piccolino after winning at Scone. Image by Bradley Photographers

With the prevailing conditions at the local circuit and a record of six starts on soft ground for two wins and four placings together with the engagement of Anna Roper, there are plenty of positives around the chances of The Piccolino in the Petries Mitre 10 Handicap tomorrow.

Roper is enjoying a stellar run of success at present and another riding double at Rosehill last weekend took her career tally to 210 wins and further success is assured for the respected young apprentice.

Despite some of the opposition travelling to other assignments around the state, Toomuchinformation ($5) has strong credentials to challenge The Piccolino following recent placings since resuming from a spell.

The son of Trust in a Gust returned from a break with a recent second at Muswellbrook behind Manage the Cycle and lost no admirers with a luckless placing at Taree a fortnight ago when confidently supported.

Amarone ($15) was the narrow victor on that occasion, and a forward showing by the son of Vino Rosso in an earlier race would provide strong form lines around the chances of Toomuchinformation in the final event with the appointment of Aaron Bullock providing further confidence.

Bullock was a clear winner in the recently concluded state riding premiership and looks poised for another successful season while the Joseph Burges stable is enjoying a wonderful run of success following a recent Taree training double and a breakthrough metropolitan victory.

On an evenly balanced program, Straight Through ($21) looks set to repeat a decisive win at Grafton last month with solid credentials in the Colins W Collins Handicap and keen form students are prepared to forgive his last start seventh on rain-affected ground at Taree.

The son of Alabama Express is trained at Coffs Harbour by Brett Dodson and the appointment of Jett Newman to continue her association aboard the flashy bay could provide the promising apprentice with further success.

There will be plenty of interest around the chances of Oakfield Pluto ($2.70 favourite) in the seventh event after the son of Exceedance scored an impressive debut victory at Taree a fortnight ago.

Despite competing against more experienced campaigners for his latest assignment, Aaron Bullock has accepted the mount on behalf of the Kris Lees training establishment with the gelding continuing the extensive list of fine horses owned by Bruce Mackenzie and carrying the 'Oakfield' moniker.

The other watch horse on the card is Trois ($8) in the preceding event with the Outreach mare scoring her maiden win at Taree a fortnight ago while Dwayne ($2.40 fav) should be considered earlier in the day despite an unfavourable draw.

Port Macquarie Race Club greatly appreciates the support provided by the Master Builders Association in staging their annual raceday and welcome all associated with this great organisation.

A big thanks also goes to associated sponsors including Petries Mitre 10, Fastplast Building Supplies, Kennards Hire, Collins W Collins Building Designers, Weathertex, PGH Port Macquarie, Coastal Commercial Linings and CDA Eastland Trade Supplies.

The day features an outstanding final acceptance with full betting service on the local and away meetings together with great food and refreshments supplied by Char Bar Catering.

The next meeting to be conducted at the Port complex is Camden Haven Cup Day on Saturday 23rd August and details regarding general admission tickets together with reserved seating in the Ivan Livermore Stand are available by contacting PMRC's office on 02 6581 1964 or email admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 - 12:35PM PGH CTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN (1100M): 6 She’s a Wild One, 1 Kings Cup, 12 Volare
Race 2 - 1:10PM COLLINS W COLLINS BUILDING DESIGNERS BM 58 HCP (1800M): 5 Straight Through, 9 Bold Splendor, 6 Heart of Platinum
Race 3 - 1:45PM WEATHERTEX COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 3 HCP (1500M): 1 Supreme Command, 3 Cluedo, 2 Show ‘Em Howl
Race 4 - 2:20PM CDA EASTLAND TRADE SUPPLIES MAIDEN PLATE (1500M): 5 Power Through, 8 Kermalicious, 13 The Final Say
Race 5 - 2:55PM COASTAL COMMERCIAL LININGS MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 1 Dwayne, 12 Smokey Saint, 5 Paralia
Race 6 – 3:30PM FASTPLAST BUILDING SUPPLIES F&M BM 58 HCP (1200M): 3 Got the Smarts, 6 Trois, 2 All Too Wild
Race 7 – 4:10PM KENNARDS HIRE CG&E BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1200M): 10 Oakfield Pluto, 2 Jason Darren, 8 Dubai Gold
Race 8 – 4:50PM PETRIES MITRE 10 BM66 HCP (1000M): 10 The Piccolino, 7 Toomuchinformation, 6 Ardonaugh

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