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By Rod Fuller

With strong performances in the city and provincial areas over recent times, Nic’s Vendetta looks the stand out runner in the $20,000 Newhaven Park June Sprint at Port Macquarie on Tuesday.

The Nicconi gelding was a decisive winner in Class 3 Highway company at Randwick in April before a placing at Scone during their May carnival.

The recent second at Warwick Farm behind Soothing in a strong Benchmark 72 event last start places Nic’s Vendetta as one of the prominent chances in the feature sprint event.

The Muswellbrook stable of Todd Howlett has an honour roll headed by Star of Octagonal who earned stakes prizemoney of over $900,000 with wins in the Scone Guineas and Rowley Mile, with this expertise proving invaluable for the continuation of the gallopers undefeated Port strike rate.

Jemily looks one of the dangers for Matthew McCudden following strong wins at Taree and fine performances in recent times on her home track. Following a last start fifth and with the benefit of Cejay Graham’s claim the Ready’s Image mare will be extremely competitive, while other chances include the consistent performers, Epic Dan, Knight Templar and the resumption of Mick O’Neill acquisition, Gunnaza.

Nic's Vendetta won a TAB Highway at Randwick in April this year. Credit: Bradley Photos.

Neil Godbolt is enjoying a great run of success and is looking for consecutive victories with his well performed mare, Dreamalina, following her win in the recent Wauchope Sprint conducted at the track.

Another strong stable chance occurs in the preceding event with Outsmartem looking the dominant competitor following strong wins in the district during May and a sound second behind Bite the Media, who is engaged in the fifth event, over the 1106 metre journey last start.

Bite the Media was able to race away from Outsmartem over the concluding stages to score by just over a length with a repetition of the run providing ammunition for punters in the Benchmark 56 Handicap at Port Macquarie.

Following a sound victory at Taree and a luckless fifth in the recent Wauchope Cup, Chalcedony looks to be the stand out investment in the Trackside Photography distance event with the support of Grant Peters and the team regarding the quality photography coverage of racing action in the northern part of NSW greatly appreciated.

The June Sprint is named in honour of Newhaven Park which is one of Australia’s leading thoroughbred nurseries and has been breeding champions for four generations, including four Golden Slipper winners.

One of their fine stallions is champion New Zealand dual Group 1 winner Xtravagant and it is wonderful to have such a prestigious organisation part of racing action at Port Macquarie.

The club is delighted to be associated with Mitavite and with the assistance of NSW Northern Sales Manager, Kim Dunda, have kindly provided bags of Impacta to be distributed to winners and placegetters throughout the day in association with Oxley Rural Supplies.

The Benchmark 56 handicap is a recognition of the Mid North Coast chief steward Drew Smith who leaves the position in July after many years of service to the racing industry. Port Macquarie Race Club would like to thank Drew for the great assistance provided and wish him the very best in all future endeavours.

The first of seven events on the program is scheduled to commence at 12.30pm with the outstanding facilities of the Ivan Livermore grandstand and surrounds in full operation.

A reminder regarding the next meeting to be conducted at the track is John L Fisher Plumbing Supplies Raceday on Saturday 14^th July with a large school holiday crowd anticipated.

View the fields, form and race replays for Tuesday's Port Macquarie meeting here. 

Selections       

Race 1:           Mitavite Maiden Plate (1512 metres)            

7 Bonnie Forever, 9 Faustine, 4 Sunsout Shirtsoff

Race 2:           Xtravagent @ Newhaven Park Maiden Hcp (1208 metres)         

3 African Guy, 2 Master Magic Al, 1 Charlie Jack

Race 3:           Trackside Photography BM 65 Hcp (2018 metres)

2 Chalcedony, 4 Face Like Thunder, 1 Jack Strike’s Back

Race 4:           Oxley Rural Supplies BM 55 Hcp (1512 metres)

2 Written in Vain, 6 Munro, 3 Saint Dennis

Race 5:           Drew Smith Farewell BM 56 Hcp (1008 metres)

8 Bite the Media, 3 Lord Mal, 5 My Little Racer

Race 6:           Mitavite Impacta CL2 Hcp (1208 metres)

3 Outsmartem, 4 Tootz, 1 Mr Tindall                              

Race 7:           Newhaven Park June Sprint (1108 metres)

2 Nic’s Vendetta, 7 Dreamalina, 13 Jemily