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By Rod Fuller

Following consistent performances in the district over the past month, Uncertain Terms is set to break through in the Hibbard Sports Club Maiden Plate on Port Macquarie on Sunday.

The Matthew Robinson-trained gelding was far from disgraced when dictating terms in the lead before being claimed on the line by Love for Asher at his most recent appearance at Taree.

Taree-based trainer Matthew Robinson

This was the gelding’s fourth placing from five overall starts and it is significant the son of Raphael’s Cat was the heavily supported on that occasion with the supporters keen to back their judgement for the weekend assignment.

The engagement of Ben Looker for the ride on Uncertain Terms adds further confidence for a forward showing as the prominent local hoop sits in third position on the state riding premiership for the season with 87 victories.

The query runner in the event is Snow Business with the former Victorian mare now in the capable hands of Joe Burges after showing some ability when previously in work.

The daughter of Frosted has not raced since being beaten around five lengths at Pakenham last September and it might be wise to follow the betting activities when assessing her chances as there have been no barrier trial appearances since heading north.

After a successful day at the previous Port meeting, John Sprague has entered Maybe Smart for the race with the Smart Missile filly debuting following a smart barrier trial win at Kempsey last month.

The burning question for the stable is the chances of Oblivion in the Harelec Handicap after the flashy chestnut lumped top weight when Ray Spokes came down the centre of the home straight to score a grand victory last Saturday when accounting for De Lovely Lad.

The son of Winning Rupert drops 2kg on that performance but there seems to be more depth in the field for the assignment headed by Don’t Forget Dad following recent placings at Grafton.

The opening race on the program provides strong interest as the early season youngsters do battle in the Port Macquarie Return and Earn Handicap with the vast majority facing the starter for the first time.

Rapt looks to have strong credentials following a debut second behind The Escape at Newcastle three weeks ago while One Kind is set to provide the testing material after a strong win at Grafton was followed by a useful performance in the Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick behind Lazzago.

The club is delighted to welcome everyone associated with the Port Macquarie Sharks to the track for their annual race day and acknowledge their associated supporters including Shipway Constructions, Harelec, Joyce Constructions, World Gym Port Macquarie, North West Frames and Trusses, Hibbard Sports Club, Owen & Geary McGrath and the local Return & Earn Automated Depot.

The Autumn Carnival of Racing concludes with the Hastings Business Women’s Network meeting on Sunday 23rd April with a reminder that general admission tickets can be pre-booked on-line or purchased on raceday for all these meetings with further information regarding reserved seating available by contacting the Port Macquarie Race Club office on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au

There are great viewing and seating areas available with refreshment, dining and wagering facilities in full operation throughout the grounds and all patrons are thoroughly enjoying the new two and three course dining menus on offer. The club is also on the lookout for a hospitality superstar to be the new function co-ordinator and chef with further details available on the website.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12.55PM PORT RETURN & EARN AUTOMATED DEPOT 2YO HCP (1000M): 2 One Kind, 3 Rapt, 8 Scud
Race 2 – 1.35PM HIBBARD SPORTS CLUB CTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (3YO+) (1000M): 3 Uncertain Terms, 9 Maybe Smart, 7 Snow Business
Race 3 – 2:15PM OWEN & GEARY McGRATH MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 3 Bantarki, 13 Mischievous Molly, 12 Fruit Tingle
Race 4 – 2.55PM JOYCE CONSTRUCTIONS & WORLD GYM BM 58 HCP (1500M): 5 Inspiration, 4 That’s Molly, 1 Gulf of Tomini
Race 5 – 3:35PM SHIPWAY CONSTRUCTIONS BM 58 HCP (1000M): 8 Viv, 1 Slice of Heaven, 11 Mrs Ed
Race 6 – 4:15PM HARELEC COUNTRY BOOSTED BM 58 HCP (1200M): 3 Don’t Forget Dad, 1 Oblivion, 9 Piccolo Ponti
Race 7 – 4:50PM NORTH WEST FRAMES & TRUSSES CLASS 1 HCP (1200M): 3 Our Gigi Rock, 9 De Lovely Lad, 6 Grandellie

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