Latest News

By Rod Fuller

With an imposing recent record under his belt, The Borough is poised for continued success in the John Oxley Motors Benchmark 66 Handicap at Port Macquarie on Monday.

The son of Pierro broke his maiden status in dashing fashion with a comprehensive win over It’s a Possibility by around six lengths at Tamworth in June and followed this with a narrow victory over Manseneta at Scone a fortnight later.

There were plenty of excuses for The Borough’s most recent run in a Benchmark 58 Hcp at Tamworth last month when a narrow third behind Excelsa. The Paul Perry-trained galloper was slow to begin before being trapped very wide when commencing a run down the side of the track and approaching the home turn.

The tough effort told the tale in the home straight but the gelding fought on tenaciously when beaten only a half head in a driving finish.

Possessing a racing pattern of settling well back and powering home together with the engagement of Jeff Penza, there will be plenty of confidence surrounding the chances of The Borough in the feature race on the program.

Real Gent is set to provide the testing material in the event following a recent victory at Grafton and the claim for Kyle Wilson-Taylor together with his continued association with the Kendargent gelding provides plenty of positives.

The other chance centres around Zellymay with the Allan Kehoe trained mare benefiting from a recent effort at Gosford when resuming from a spell. Despite being beaten a fair way in the race won by Empress Bea, the daughter of Lope de Vega has an unblemished record at the Port track and performs well at second runs from a break.

Royal Charge has been knocking at the door following recent placings at Taree and looks set to break maiden status in Prime 7 Local News CG&E Maiden Plate.

The son of Charge Forward was narrowly defeated by La Girl at his most recent run and rekindles the association between iconic trainer, Allan Denham, and Australia’s most successful jockey, Robert Thompson.

Another safe wager on the program centres around Tessa Burrito in race five with the daughter of Sebring looking well-placed following recent Scone and Muswellbrook placings. Added confidence comes from the fact the mare is trained by Kris Lees and will be ridden by Andrew Gibbons with the pair heading the statistics in the recent NSW Racing Premierships in their respective divisions.

Races have been named in honour of John Oxley Motors, Great Northern Brewing Company, Panthers Port Macquarie, Schweppes, De Bortoli Wines and Tabcorp as an acknowledgment of their continued support and assistance provided.

The club also recognises the outstanding work provided by a team of dedicated people showcasing, promoting and helping to support any retired Thoroughbred that has been involved in the racing industry.

The track has been in recess since early July and should provide an even racing surface for Monday’s card, barring the possibility of further inclement weather conditions (currently a Soft 5).

Coronavirus restrictions have been varied to allow a limited number of 500 patrons to attend the race meeting with a requirement that attendance intentions are registered with the Port Macquarie Race Club at admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au or (02) 6581 1964.

Names and contact details are required upon entry and restrictions remain in place for people who are unwell, are in one of the risk categories or have travelled from a hot spot area without following the required guidelines.

Both the Ivan Livermore Stand and Clydesdale Rooms will be in operation providing catering and wagering facilities and strict protocols and social distancing will be enforced. Punters unable to attend will be able to follow all the action live from the stand-alone NSW meeting at Port through the screens of Sky Racing and comprehensive wagering facilities continue to be provided by Tabcorp.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12.20pm OFF THE TRACK NSW MAIDEN HCP (1500M): 9 Man and Superman, 8 Machali, 4 Anamagic*
Race 2 – 12.55pm JOHN OXLEY MOTORS BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1500M): 7 The Borough, 1 Real Gent, 6 Zellymay
Race 3 – 1.35pm PRIME 7 LOCAL NEWS CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 11 Royal Charge, 6 Highbury, 5 Graziano
Race 4 – 2.10pm TAB.COM.AU F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1200M): 4 Just Cosmos, 5 Kate Lea, 7 Rizzoli
Race 5 – 2.45pm PANTHERS PORT MACQUARIE BM 58 HCP (1800M): 7 Tessa Burrito, 3 Condover Hall, 2 Men in Tights
Race 6 – 3.25pm SCHWEPPES CLASS 2 HCP (1000M): 2 Gold Bracelet, 3 Plucky and Lucky, 5 Areya Tuchuzy
Race 7 – 4.05pm DE BORTOLI WINES CLASS 1 HCP (1200M): 1 Stonecold Flex, 5 New York Nick, 7 Qukes
Race 8 – 4.45pm GREAT NORTHERN BREWING COMPANY BM 58 HCP (1200M): 3 Chief Havoc, 1 Dollson, 6 Scorching
*Finished 6th at Coffs Harbour on Thursday

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