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By Rod Fuller

With recent placings in metropolitan feature races under his belt, the stage is set for Belvedere Boys ($3.60 favourite on TAB) to claim the major prize in the $200,000 Carlton Dry 3.5% Port Macquarie Cup on an outstanding day of racing action at Port on Friday.

The flashy chestnut made up many lengths when a gallant second behind Elamaz in the McKell Cup at Rosehill in June, and resumed from a short break with a similar placing in the Premier’s Cup at Randwick on an extremely heavy track a month later.

Back to the suitable distance of the club’s premier event and an opportunity to progress to the $3m Big Dance at Randwick in November, the son of Maurice has strong credentials to be extremely competitive following an overall record of six wins and seven placings from 19 overall appearances.

Belvedere Boys (Nash Rawiller) in winning touch at Rosehill Gardens. Image by Bradley Photographers

Matt Dunn puts the polish on Belvedere Boys and the prominent Northern Rivers trainer is enjoying a wonderful run of success from his large team following recent trebles at Ballina last Sunday and Lismore on their cup day.

It is significant the Murwillumbah mentor has engaged Ash Morgan for this important ride and the leading hoop returns to Port following recent victories at Newcastle, Warwick Farm and Dubbo.

All interest in the highlight event centres around the decision to be made by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott regarding whether their well credentialed galloper, Converge ($8) will contest the blue-ribbon North Coast feature.

The gelding is also marked down to run in Sydney's Hill Stakes at Rosehill Gardens a day later where he is an $81 chance.

The Frankel gelding put together strong performances in the Summer and January Cups when previously in work and would be one of the key competitors in Friday’s classic with Diamond Diesel ($7.50), Age of Sail ($5), Naval College ($6) and Casino Bear ($7.50) providing plenty of depth.

Peter Cheers has done an amazing job with Casino Bear and the bay gelding has collated an impressive strike rate of five wins and two placings since July, with a comprehensive victory over Auzstar in the Cup Prelude providing serious consideration for a forward showing.

With feature races spread throughout a tremendous program, Scud ($3.40 fav) possesses strong credentials in the $80,000 Birdin Group Sprint after a luckless second behind Floozie in the Silk Stocking at the Gold Coast when previously in work.

The Paul Shailer-trained mare will benefit from a recent spell resumption when beaten under two lengths by Surprise Honey on her home track last month while Maximum Vortex ($11) looks to provide the testing material for the favourite.

The gelding produced a solid effort in the Untamed Sprint at Lismore a fortnight ago and normally races on the speed, which could be significant with Ben Looker anticipated to take full advantage of his early pace after drawing a relatively wide barrier (12).

A key to the feature sprint could be Sumo Fish ($8) who has gained a start after being an emergency with The Hanger Cat being withdrawn. The Sebring Sun gelding was responsible for an encouraging third at his first run for Sally Taylor.

The Coffs Harbour trainer gained access to the highly credentialed galloper from the Wayne Wilkes establishment and it should be noted that Sumo Fish was a district representative in the Country Championships Final at Randwick last April.

In such a prestigious event, Swift Charm ($15) has a definite chance after landing a metropolitan highway win at Rosehill last January and an impressive Grafton trial win at Grafton last week, indicating a forward showing is anticipated while Bantarki ($10) and Jack Be lucky ($18) must be considered.

The $50,000 Fastplast Building Supplies Hastings Cup provides plenty of interest with Bellenth ($3.10 fav) heading discussions after accounting for Rockbarton Max and Horizons at Newcastle on heavy ground in August.

Kim Waugh has enjoyed great success at the Port circuit and her Hellbent-trained gelding is set to provide the testing material in the race with the engagement of Andrew Adkins for the mount instilling further confidence.

Despite automatic qualification for the club’s feature, Marc Quinn has elected to contest the Hastings Cup with Auzstar ($5.50) and this could prove to be a successful move for the highly consistent bay gelding.

The Showcase status allotted by Racing NSW has boosted prizemoney levels to over $525,000 for the fixture resulting in a massive number of 126 acceptors and providing strong depth throughout the eight-race card.

Everyone at Port Macquarie Race Club has worked extremely hard to present the program in the best possible manner and patrons will be offered a vast array of food options courtesy of CharBar Catering with great viewing facilities available around the complex.

The Gowings Port Central Fashions on the Field will be one of the highlights on the day with $5,000 in prizes on offer for multiple categories while patrons have the chance to soak up the atmosphere in the Rose Raceday Retreat.

After making such an impressive debut on this day last year, the Brookvale Union Lawn Party will be an ideal place to enjoy all the great racing action together with plenty of entertainment and catering options for the younger patrons.

Port Macquarie Race Club is honoured to continue the wonderful Cup association with Carlton & United Breweries and would also like to acknowledge the raceday sponsorship provided by Birdon Group, Fastplast Building Supplies, De Bortoli Wines, Munday Constructions, John Oxley Volkswagen, Programmed Property Services and the Settlers Inn Hotel.

Festivities commence on Thursday evening with the Cup Calcutta to be conducted at Port City Bowling Club with Dave Stanley from Sky Racing hosting a fabulous night featuring special guests, live music and entertainment, complimentary nibbles together with the all-important Calcutta ticket draw.

The activities commence from 6pm in the Non-Thinkers Sports Bar and Dave promises a great night with his engaging and entertaining style together with lucky door prizes on offer ensuring nobody will leave disappointed.

Further information regarding bookings and other details for Port Cup Day together with day two of the carnival on Saturday (11th October) supported by Port City Bowling Club, are available by contacting the Club's office on 02 6581 1964 or email - admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au

SELECTIONS
Race 1 - 1:10PM DE BORTOLI WINES COUNTRY MAIDEN PLATE (1000M): 9 Immortal Storm, 5 Novaya, 4 Kooky
Race 2 - 1:45PM MUNDAY CONSTRUCTION SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 10 Rustemo, 8 Oakfield Universe, 7 Send a Telegram
Race 3 - 2:20PM SETTLERS INN HOTEL COUNTRY MAGIC CLASS 1 HCP (1200M): 1 Moscow Circus, 9 Ellofadude, 6 Chica Del Mar
Race 4 - 2:55PM JOHN OXLEY VOLKSWAGEN BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1000M): 7 Leantothemoon, 8 Queen of a Hand, 6 Grey Effects
Race 5 - 3:30PM FASTPLAST BUILDING SUPPLIES HASTINGS CUP (1500M): 7 Bellenth, 2 Forcaster, 3 Auzstar
Race 6 - 4:10PM BIRDON GROUP PORT MACQUARIE SPRINT (1200M): 10 Scud, 6 Maximum Vortex, 15 Sumo Fish
Race 7 – 4:50PM CARLTON DRY 3.5% PORT MACQUARIE CUP (2000M): 3 Belvedere Boys, 2 Converge, 5 Diamond Diesel
Race 8 - 5:30PM PROGRAMMED PROPERTY SERVICES CLASS 2 HCP (1100M): 4 Altercation, 11 Cool Waters, 10 What A Rush

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