Latest News

By Neil Evans

A popular and talented local galloper will literally be out to spring back into action when he returns at Monday’s home Port Macquarie meeting 44 days after a horror fall at Rosehill.

Pony Soprano, a lightly raced four-year-old in the Robert Agnew stable, hasn’t raced since tumbling first-up in a Class 2 Highway over 1100m at Rosehill in mid-July.

That day Pony Soprano came to grief around the 800m when a runner shifting out from inside caused him to fall.

Pony Soprano (Anna Roper) heads to the barriers at Rosehill Gardens. Image by Bradley Photographers

Jockey Anna Roper was stood down for the remainder of the day while the gelding was found to have suffered abrasions, swelling and multiple lacerations.

Naturally, Pony Soprano was spelled, but via a veterinary clearance he subsequently recovered well and signalled a return by winning a barrier trial in mid-August by more than four lengths.

And with some more work under his belt, Pony Soprano is a hot $1.75 TAB favourite to bounce back first-up in the Port City Glass Class 3 Handicap over 1200m to welcome in spring racing.

Fittingly, Roper also recovered swiftly from that fall with two of her last three winners coming in metropolitan company, including Saturday’s upset win in a BM 78 for the fillies and mares aboard long-priced Sunshine Law.

Prior to the Rosehill fall, Pony Soprano had won two from five after debuting late last year, and quickly progressed to a Country Championships Qualifier where he finished midfield.

Yet while the market suggests Pony Soprano has a big class edge on this field, two runners at much longer prices are eyeing off an upset.

Nyali Sands, a tough and underrated mare by Group 1 winner Casino Prince, is an $8 chance in the TAB betting and is well placed to perform three weeks after running into a place in a BM 66 at Muswellbrook.

The track is rated a Soft 5 with sunny weather forecast.

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