Latest News

By Rod Fuller

After a narrow defeat at the hands of Backward Glance at this circuit a fortnight ago, Highland Hustle ($7.50 on TAB) is set to return to the winner’s enclosure in the Tacking Point Tavern Handicap on Flower Hotel Raceday at Port Macquarie on Thursday.

John Higgins recently identified that his Coffs Harbour-trained mare would appreciate a step up in distance and this judgment was vindicated with a gallant second behind The Comanche over 1500m at the circuit in early September.

A further increase to the mile journey a fortnight later allowed the daughter of Highland Reel to break her maiden status at Coffs Harbour and a strong second at Ballina behind Risk For Reward soon followed.

Jockey Jon Grisedale - has two attractive mounts at Port Macquarie on Thursday. Image by Bradley Photographers

The recent Port performance when defeated by the smallest of margins in a blanket finish together with an added 200m of her latest assignment indicates further success for Highland Hustle.

Jon Grisdale has developed a great affinity with the mare having been the pilot for the last four occasions and it is significant the leading north coast rider will continue his association.

Dangers centre around the chances of Quick Buck ($4.60) who has been a model of consistency for the Glen Milligan stable while Seething Chuck ($14) and Venom Wolf ($5) are both racing well.

The Flower Hotels Handicap provides plenty of questions for punters with Credit Controller ($7) and Golden Copper ($4.40 favourite) heading the chances in the feature event while also entered for the Highway race on Hunter Day at Newcastle.

Both would be solid chances in either event as Credit Controller is resuming from a spell with strong placings at Grafton, Murwillumbah and Casino together with the benefit of a recent barrier trial in preparation for her next assignment.

However, the chances are strong that Golden Copper will be running at Port as a jockey had not been paid up for in the Newcastle Highway when the deadline passed.

Golden Copper was successful at her recent Coffs Harbour appearance and the flashy chestnut has good prior form so the connections would be confident at Port on Thursday.

The races provide a real opportunity for Phoenix Power ($10) on a recent placing behind Uncle Harry at the local course a month ago.

Keen form students will be prepared to support Immortal Storm ($1.20 favourite) in the opening race on the program with the son of I am Immortal deserved of a breakthrough maiden success following recent north coast placings and the appointment of Ben Looker providing further confidence.

The prominent local hoop is enjoying a purple patch of form in recent times having saluted aboard Lunaite for Paul Snowden at Rosehill last Saturday before a riding double at Armidale the following day.

Other strong chances throughout the program centre around Myriad ($2.25 fav) in the second event with the recent arrival to the Nathan Doyle stable looking to capitalise on solid Victorian form while Talk About Layla ($2.50 fav) deserves success in the Celebrations Handicap.

We'll all be pleased to see the return of Matt Bennett to the riding ranks as he partners with Ex Wife ($4.80) for the Milligan training establishment in the Hastings Hotel Handicap.

Bennett has been out of the saddle since a barrier incident at Murwillumbah in August last year aggravated lower stomach and groin injuries and the respected jockey is looking to resume his stellar career and increase career wins of 980.

The Flower Hotel Group has been a wonderful supporter of racing at Port Macquarie and the Club is greatly appreciative of their sponsorship for the final race meeting of the year and encourage everyone to enjoy their fine establishments. They include the Settlers Inn, Tacking Point Tavern, Lake Cathie Tavern, Hastings Hotel, Beechwood Hotel and Celebrations.

After a couple of years hiatus, New Year's Day racing returns to Port Macquarie and the Club is promising first class Thoroughbred action and great entertainment together with amazing food served up by Char Bar Catering.

Details regarding general admission tickets for these two meetings 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

On behalf of the Port Macquarie Race Club Committee, President David Todd would like to thank all our valued patrons, sponsors and participants for their support and cooperation over the past 12 months and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a wonderful festive season.

Thanks to everyone for making it such a remarkable year and the stage is now set for a wonderful future for the complex after the highly successful course proper reconstruction.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 - 1:50PM BEECHWOOD HOTEL COUNTRY MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 5 Immortal Storm, 2 Purple Kitty, 3 The Big Ticket
Race 2 – 2:25PM HASTINGS HOTEL MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000M): 2 Myriad, 1 Ex Wife, 3 Trumper
Race 3 - 3:05PM CELLARBRATIONS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1500M): 4 Talk About Layla, 7 Crashmyplaya, 9 Temple Bells
Race 4 - 3:40PM SETTLERS INN COUNTRY BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1000M): 7 She’s a Wild One, 1 Aye Aye Skipper, 2 Savvyrocker
Race 5 – 4:20PM TACKING POINT TAVERN BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (2000M): 7 Highland Hustle, 2 Quick Buck, 5 Seething Chuck
Race 6 – 4:55PM FLOWER HOTELS BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1500M): 2 Credit Controller, 8 Golden Copper, 7 Phoenix Power, 5 Golden Honour
Race 7 - 5:35PM LAKE CATHIE TAVERN CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1100M): 5 Shotgun Bella, 7 Magnolia Jewel, 2 Iron Fury

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