Following his maiden success at Kempsey over three years ago, the son of Pluck has racked up a further four victories and numerous minor prizes with many posted on north coast circuits.
Marc Quinn puts the polish on Zapluck and the prominent local trainer remains confident of the gelding's ability despite a frustrating run of placings particularly on New Year's Day when claimed on the finishing post by Boho Chick after looking the winner in the latter stages of the event.
Following placings at Tuncurry and Taree, the galloper was freshened up by a barrier trial and resumed with a solid third behind Slice of Heaven last week at Kempsey when looming ominously on the home turn.
With that run under his belt and being well graded on best form, the stage is set for a deserved win to Zapluck with the engagement of Ben Looker for the mount providing further confidence.
Dangers centre around Absolute Legend who returned from a spell to present Cejay Graham with victory on her first day of riding since resuming from injury last month.
The John Sprague-trained gelding raced in Highway company at Randwick two starts ago with a solid fifth on his home track last week after dictating terms in the lead providing plenty of encouragement for the weekend assignment.
Other chances centre around Absolutely Foxy with the mare improving with every run while Monsoon Magic must be included as a live hope on her best form.
Market watchers will be examining transactions in the second event with Rapt facing the starter for the first time following a sound win in a Beaumont Track (Newcastle) barrier trial earlier in the month.
The More Than ready filly is owned by the Dynamic Syndications Ladies Group and is the only horse representing the Jason Deamer stable entered for the program.
Connections have a high opinion of the bay filly who is in the early list of entries for the Percy Sykes Stakes at Group 2 level on Day 2 of The Star Championships at Randwick next month.
Everyone in local racing wishes our two representatives in the $500,000 Newhaven Park Country Championships Final at Randwick on Saturday 1st April the very best of luck with the hope for a favourable result.
Sir Ravanelli scored by a decisive margin in the Mid North Coast Country Championship at Tuncurry and provides a wonderful opportunity for Terry Evens and a section of prominent owners to fulfil a dream in the big race.
The grey flash was freshened up with a solid barrier trial win at Taree over Swamp Nation in preparation for the assignment and provides a great chance to return the trophy to the district following victory by Victorem in 2018.
Imatruestar was a gallant second behind Sir Ravanelli at Tuncurry and it is significant that Grant Jobson made the journey from his Taree training base to the Kensington Track a fortnight ago when third behind Ka Bling to round out preparation for the big one.
McGuigan BMW has been great supporters of racing at Port Macquarie and everyone is encouraged to visit their showroom and that of John Oxley Motors on Hastings River Drive Port Macquarie.
There will be full trackside coverage of the local races and all the action from around the country will be beamed live including Tancred Stakes Day from Rosehill.
The Autumn Carnival continues with Peak Coffee Raceday on Saturday 8th followed by Port Macquarie Sharks day the following Sunday.
The April smorgasbord of racing culminates in the Hastings Business Women's Network meeting on Sunday 23rd April with a reminder that general admission tickets can be pre-booked online or purchased on race day for all these meetings with further information regarding reserved seating available by contacting Port Macquarie Race Club office on (02) 6581 1964 or email - [email protected]
There are plenty of great viewing and seating areas available with refreshment, dining and wagering facilities in full operation throughout the grounds and the club has introduced a new two and three course dining menus with details appearing on the club's website.
SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 2.16pm JOHN OXLEY MOTORS BM 50 HCP (1008M): 7 Zapluck, 1 Absolute Legend, 5 Absolutely Foxy
Race 2 – 2.56pm JOHN OXLEY MITSUBISHI F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1108M): 11 Rapt, 5 Quick Onyx, 10 Priding.
Race 3 – 3.36pm JOHN OXLEY VOLKSWAGEN CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1108M): 5 Pack of Wolves, 2 Fly Rock, 6 Rockinfeller
Race 4 – 4.16pm MCGUIGAN BMW NEW M2 CLASS 1 HCP (1008M): 7 Emerald Reach, 10 Not Taking It, 3 Welloutofreach
Race 5 – 4.56pm MCGUIGAN BMW BM 50 HCP (1208M): 1 Oblivion, 9 Dawntillarvi, 4 Rizzoli
Race 6 – 5.36pm BMW X5 BM 50 HCP (1512M): 4 Perfection Man, 6 Red Van, 11 Tosen Dreamer
