3 minute read

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Port Macquarie meeting. Selections based on a good track.

11. Richattack comes off a total forgive run at this track a few weeks ago. Form before that was solid with back-to-back close up efforts at 1000m. Back in grade and while she's had a few chances from the inside gate she's an each-way hope.

Dangers: 5. Last Descend had good support first-up since February when third at Grafton on a heavy track. Loomed up there so the run will bring him on. Blinkers on and one of the main chances. 9. Icon Of Style chased Goomeri two starts back then solid on pace placing here, both around 1200m. Only needs to hold that form to be in the finish somewhere. 1. Cynic started favourite in the same race and seemed to have his chance running fourth. Was first-up so open to improvement.

How to play it: Richattack E/W ($12 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

1. Cenotes has placed in five of his six starts and made ground when running into third at Lismore from a long way back third-up. Extra 100m a plus and if it helps him hold a closer spot he should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 3. Contarelli wasn't disgraced first-up at Newcastle then led and weakened when right in the market at Gosford. Drop to country grade a plus and he will go forward and give a sight. 8. Bonnie Vale hasn't been far away of late and while beaten favourite here last time she still ran on quite well. Hard to leave out of the chances. 9. Another Super is a 39 start maiden but he's actually going okay. Drew wide and went for home before the turn when fifth in the same race third-up. Each-way.

How to play it: Cenotes WIN ($11 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

4. Nothing's Sacred has the hoof on the till after placings at his past couple over this track and distance. Big change here is a softer draw. If he can put himself a little closer in the run this time he's a big chance to go one better.

Dangers: 7. Cirebon tried hard at Gunnedah third-up but was no match for the winner, who has won again since. Maiden win was at this track and she's one of the dangers. 1. No Quarantine had a big job from last at Murwillumbah two weeks ago and ran on well behind Goomeri who led all the way. Wide gate no help but sure to be hitting the line again. 5. She's Rewarding has won two races and both have been at this track, she was beaten 0.2 lengths in a similar race here last time and must be considered.

How to play it: Nothing's Sacred WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

9. Pridefilly was a drifter in betting on debut but warmed up nicely late when fifth over the 900m at Newcastle. Keep an eye on the market for a push but the txtra ground will suit her and she looks a big improver.

Dangers: 4. Kissing Supido has shown good speed to lead in his two runs back at provincial level and will likely relish the drop to country grade again. Seems to be racing better this time in and if that's the case he's a good chance to break through. 8. Grand Horizon has put in a couple of huge performances from the back after drawing wide in successive starts over 1000m here. Much more favourable gate and extra 200m are in her favour. 1. Prime Impact is now with Kris Lees and he's trialled okay on two occasions. Tended to improve with racing last time in so be guided by the market.

How to play it: Pridefilly E/W ($19 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

7. Debussy is a sharp gelding and he looked the part in a runaway trial leading into this first-up assignment. Won first-up last prep and raced honestly in five subsequent starts. Expect he'll run a big race fresh.

Dangers: 6. Procrastinator hasn't raced since February when right in the market at Newcastle in a 900m scamper. Went with city performer Much Much Better in a recent trial and is well worth keeping safe. 5. In A Step bounced back to form with a solid on pace win at Taree when back to country level. Drawn nicely and drops 4kg so will get her chance. 1. Time For Victory will find this more suitable than last start at Randwick behind Iowna Merc. Barrier an issue but did run a nice second here three starts back and last win was this course in March. Can't leave out.

How to play it: Debussy WIN ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

6. Robarge ran a nice race off a freshen up here in April then a month between runs and loomed before knocking up at Taree. Consistent mare who strikes a winnable race from a good gate. Sure to run well.

Dangers: 2. Fire Up Bruce is racing in great form with a win here a month ago then narrow defeat in this grade at Lismore on May 26. Might need some luck but hard to fault form of late. 3. Kennysing has been a beaten favourite at his past two starts but they were on heavy tracks and he was competitive enough from on the speed. Can't leave out of the chances. 11. Star Of Shalaa was well supported and led before being run down at Grafton last week. On the back up and back 200m and has a good case to run well.

How to play it: Robarge E/W ($12 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

5. Poseidon Ruler is bursting to win at Midway level but has been dealing with having to get back from wide gates. Huge run at Rosehill last time when sitting wide and going down a length. Draws one and if he can make use of that he'll take beating.

Dangers: 6. Scorched Land is working back into form and ran on from well back into fourth at Newcastle third-up and third run at 1400m this prep. Draws ideally for him and if he finds his best form he'll be a big threat. 2. Dubai Tycoon has been narrowly beaten in both runs this prep including the Beef Week Cup at Lismore three weeks ago. Rarely runs a bad race and should be around the mark again. 3. Kedah is also showing signs of finding form with a sound effort second-up at Muswellbrook. Ready for the step up in trip and she's one of the chances.

How to play it: Poseidon Ruler WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

1. Orlabent looks a progressive type and he was never going to be beaten as an odds-on favourite at Wyong second-up after landing handy. Tricky gate this time but has tactical speed and with even luck should go close.

Dangers: 2. Rommel's Wolf rounded them up from well back to win a maiden here a month ago then just denied another win up to 1200m. Appears the logical danger. 9. Quick As A Flash led off a wide gate at Newcastle last time and weakened. First-up run at Taree was okay and gets right down in the weights so could be an improver. 5. Enterprise Phoenix can be forgiven for his unplaced run at Armidale after going back from a wide gate and never coming into it. Previous Grafton efforts were sound and has each-way claims from an inside alley.

How to play it: Orlabent WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.