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South Australian trainer Tony McEvoy is hoping the impact he has made on NSW racing since he opened his satellite stable at Hawkebsury can continue at Port Macquarie on Friday.
McEvoy is sending Assertive Billy to the north coast for Friday’s $80,000 Carlton Mid Port Macquarie Cup (2000m) in a bid to continue the success he has enjoyed around NSW in recent months.
McEvoy has a policy of placing his horses where they can win and has not hesitated to send his Hawkesbury-based team that now numbers more than 30 horses to country meetings around NSW.
He has has already won 20 races in NSW since he opened his Hawkesbury stable including seven on country tracks as far spread as Dubbo, Nowra, Bathurst, Muswellbrook, Taree and Port Macquarie.
Assertive Billy was another successful example of McEvoy’s travel policy when he won the Cup Prelude at Port Macquarie on September 29.
Robert Thompson has retained the ride on Assertive Billy, who was having his fourth start after a spell when he accounted for Port Cup rivals Phrases and Get On The Grange in the Prelude over 1812m.
He faces a tougher field on Friday but drops a massive 5kg and McEvoy is showing his confidence in his chances by planning to attend the meeting.
“I have never been to Port Macquarie. It is something I am looking forward to,” McEvoy said.
Tough Wyong stayer Gazza Guru heads the field with the topweight of 60kg while Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn will head south with the in-form Epic Terra chasing a hat trick after back to back wins at Doomben and Eagle Farm.
The evergreen Gazza Guru has won the South Grafton and Taree Cups since July and comes off a third in the Wyong Cup and fifth in the Newcastle Cup at his last two starts.
Coffs Harbour jockey Matt Bennett, who rode Gazza Guru in the South Grafton and Taree Cups, returns as his rider on Friday.
Leading Brisbane apprentice Tegan Harrison has ridden Epic Terra in his recent wins and has been rewarded with the Cup ride on Friday.