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By Rod Fuller

With heavy rainfall continuing to affect tracks in his local area, Matt Dunn looks to make a successful return to Port Macquarie with a strong team competing for the rich spoils on offer at Radio 531 Raceday on Monday.

After landing a training double at his last journey to the circuit, the Murwillumbah mentor has many interesting runners spread throughout the program headed by Calvary in the Chris Smith Handicap.

The lightly raced son of Hellbent broke his maiden status in dominant fashion last October before being sent for a spell following placings at Murwillumbah and Ballina late last year.

Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn

An impressive Grafton barrier trial a fortnight ago and the ability to manage raina-ffected tracks indicates a successful resumption from a break for Calgary looks a real possibility with the engagement of Jett Newman providing further confidence.

Newman has been a breath of fresh air in the apprentice riding ranks with a recent stable victory aboard Insinuate at Casino taking her career wins to 16 which has been accumulated over a three-month period.

Dunn has a strong hand in the event with Saxinoue and Miss Uchitel set to provide the greatest challenge to Calgary with both possessing strong claims despite resuming from breaks and careful monitoring of betting trends should be recommended.

The stable also has good chances in the Talkin’ Sport Handicap with two debutants in the shape of Vice Regis and Herald Angel engaged and it is significant that Aaron Bullock has been engaged to partner the topweight in the race.

Matt Dunn commenced his training career at Port before relocating to the Gold Coast and Operations Manager for Gerald Ryan provided a great background for his now successful Murwillumbah stable.

With a career spanning over 30 years, Dunn and his team have built a formidable reputation with over 1,300 wins including ten group and listed victories, it is great to see his return to Port for the program on Monday.

Mark Minervini is looking to continue his great strike rate at the circuit and should start the ball rolling with Pratt in the opening event after three good trials since relocating from the Chris Waller establishment.

The lightly raced son of Exceed and Excel was responsible for even performances in town before heading up the highway to his new home and the clash with First Landing should provide plenty of interest.

First Landing has been a crucial pickup from Team Hawkes and the local experience of John Sprague could provide the testing material when assessing the chances of the Deep Field gelding who last appeared at Canterbury a month ago.

Minervini has strong claims in the Peter Denton Handicap with Gemologist and many keen judges were very impressed with the gelding’s debut win on heavy ground in the Star Kingdom Handicap at Muswellbrook earlier in the month.

His other main chance is Tawfiq Tom in the third event and the son of Tosen Stardom deserves to break his maiden status following consistent placings at the track over the past few weeks.

Lord Akomeed has struck a purple patch of form with two wins and the same number of placings in his previous four outings and a repetition is set to continue for the Neil Godbolt stable in the Friday Sports Talk Handicap while Empusa is a key runner in the final race on the card.

Races on the program are named in honour of Radio 531 am as vital part of the Super Radio Network and the club is greatly appreciative of the tremendous support provided by this wonderful broadcasting institution.

Special recognition to Dave Sutherland and his informative and entertaining breakfast show, together with the outstanding broadcasting career of John O’Callaghan who celebrates 50 years in the industry after commencing work at age 15 alongside his legendary father, Gary.

All roads lead to the circuit for Wauchope Cup Day on Sunday 15th June and details regarding general admission tickets together with reserved seating in the Ivan Livermore Stand are available by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12:10PM JOHN O’CALLAGHAN 50 YEARS IN RADIO MDN PLATE (1008M): 3 Pratt, 1 First Landing, 10 Magnolia Jewel
Race 2 – 12:45PM SUPER RADIO NIKO COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 1 HCP (1008M): 2 Confederate Lady, 7 What a Rush, 1 Gold Sluice
Race 3 – 1.20PM DAVE SUTHERLAND BREAKFAST SHOW MAIDEN PLATE (1512M): 6 Tawfiq Tom, 9 Lune D’Excellence, 10 Smart Lily
Race 4 – 1.55PM FRIDAY SPORTS TALK BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1108M): 4 Lord Akomeed, 7 Ranhita, 2 Telegraph
Race 5 – 2.35PM PETER DENTON IN THE NEWSROOM BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1108M): 5 Gemologist, 6 Love Rat, 1 Buck Pharoah
Race 6 – 3.10PM TALKIN’ SPORT COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HCP (1208M): 5 African Diamond, 1 Vice Regis, 4 Risk for Reward
Race 7 – 3.45PM CHRIS SMITH ACROSS AUSTRALIA CLASS 2 HCP (1208M): 6 Calvary, 8 Body of Venus, 9 Miss Uchitel
Race 8 – 4.20PM LIVE AND LOCAL LONGER BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1512M): 10 Empusa, 9 Bella Kathleen, 6 Prancing with Fire

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