A small, but competitive eight-race programme is scheduled for Port Macquarie on Friday. The best bet comes in Race 8 in the form of GENTLEMAN’S WORDS who won his maiden in his last start. The manner in which he won that day suggests there is plenty more to come and he has a good chance of following up with another victory.
Other international racing tips for Friday:
Port Macquarie
Werribee
Gold Coast
Cranbourne
Neil Morrice Tips
Best Bet: GENTLEMAN’S WORDS (Race 8)
Value Bet: O’DRISCOLL (Race 3)
Please tilt your phone to landscape orientation to view the below table on mobile.
|
Race
|
Time
|
Conditions
|
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
5th
|
|
1
|
04:35
|
1006m – Maiden Hcp (3-Y-O)
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
6
|
1
|
|
2
|
05:10
|
1506m – Maiden Special
Weight |
3
|
2
|
6
|
10
|
9
|
|
3
|
05:50
|
1506m – Benchmark
82 |
5
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
6
|
|
4
|
06:25
|
1206m – Maiden
Handicap |
1
|
2
|
7
|
10
|
4
|
|
5
|
07:05
|
2012m – Class 1
Special Weight |
2
|
9
|
11
|
10
|
6
|
|
6
|
07:40
|
1506m – Class 2
Handicap |
3
|
5
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
|
7
|
08:15
|
1006m – Class 3
Handicap |
4
|
3
|
10
|
11
|
1
|
|
8
|
08:50
|
1206m – Benchmark 58
|
8
|
6
|
7
|
2
|
5
|
|
Races (5-8)
Jackpot |
|||||
|
1
|
Line
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
8
|
|
8
|
Lines
|
9
|
5
|
3
|
|
|
54
|
Lines
|
11
|
4
|
10
|
6
|
|
96
|
Lines
|
|
1
|
11
|
|
|
200
|
Lines
|
10
|
2
|
1
|
|
Race 1
ARADHANA has finished second in her last two starts. She set the pace in her last start, skipped clear at the top of the straight but was caught in the closing stages. The daughter of Wandjina is likely to adopt the same tactics this afternoon and may be hard to peg back in the closing stages. It is encouraging that jockey Andrew Gibbons does duty today. PAY THE PLUMBER is an unraced son of Hidden Dragon from the Brett Bellamy stable. He was a winner of his only barrier trial coming into this race. If not too green, he could throw out a big challenge to the top selection. The betting market will be the best guide with regards to his chances.
Race 2
THE PREMIER produced a very good comeback run when returning from a 31-week break. He raced from a handy position that day and chased solidly to the line to finish second. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. He should strip a much fitter horse this afternoon and apprentice Samantha Clenton who rode him last time, retains the ride. MUNSA MAGIC showed very good improvement in his first run after a 27-week lay-off. He settled towards the rear that day and ran on strongly up the straight. He tries the extra furlong for the first time this afternoon and the manner in which he finished off his race last time, suggests the trip should be right up his alley. The son of Poet’s Voice may be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top choice.
Race 3
O’DRISCOLL’S last two starts after returning from a 21-week break have been fair. He was still in need of his last start as he lacked a strong finish up the straight. It must be noted that two horses from that form line have come out and won since. He has won five times from six starts over this course and distance. The son of O’Reilly should be cherry-ripe this afternoon and should take a power of beating. CHALMERS was in desperate need of his last two starts after returning from a 22-week break. He has won once and finished second twice from seven attempts over this distance. He should be at peak fitness for this outing and it is encouraging that apprentice Samantha Clenton has retained the ride.
Race 4
FRIVOLOSOPHY has finished second in her last three starts, the last two of which were on this course. She was unlucky not to have won last time as she had to ease at a crucial stage in the race. She is likely to race on the speed once again and with a bit of luck in running, should be the one they all have to beat. PRINCESS ARIANA has made the necessary improvement with each of her outings to date. She set the pace in her last start over 1300m, but was run down in the latter stages. She makes her course debut this afternoon and if suited to the track, she could be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top choice.
Race 5
LUCKY FOR SOME has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. He has a good record on this track having won once and finished second on six occasions from nine outings. He steps up to the ten furlongs for the first time and if getting an uncontested lead in front, he may be hard to peg back in the closing stages. LIME AND SUGAR ran a good race over nine furlongs on this course last time. She raced from a mid-field position that day and chased solidly all the way to the finishing post. The manner in which she finished off her race that day suggests that she will enjoy the extra furlong on offer. Kirk Matheson retains the ride and the pair should be right there in the run down to the finishing post.
Race 6
MY DESIRE is a filly taking on the males. She ran a decent race over 1700m at Scone last time. She has won her only attempt over this course and distance. She is also unbeaten from two starts under jockey Ben Looker who has a 38%-win strike rate for this trainer. If finding her best form, she should be the one they all have to beat. PURE FAITH was disappointing in her last start after winning two races in a row. She makes her course and distance debut this afternoon and if suited to the track, she should be right there in the fight out to the finish. She does have a wide draw to overcome, but she gets the services of Andrew Gibbons who will give her all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
Race 7
GIDGEE GUY has very good recent form to his credit. He has won once, finished second once and third twice from six outings this season. He makes his course debut this afternoon and if suited to the track, he should take a power of beating. He likes to race up with the pace and should be hard to peg back in the closing stages. GEM DEALER was given a well-deserved 18-week break after winning her last start. She should have no issues with regards to fitness as she has produced two decent barrier trials coming into this race. It is encouraging that jockey Jeff Penza does duty and the combination should be one of the leading contenders coming into this race.
Race 8
GENTLEMAN’S WORDS was an impressive winner of his last start over a similar distance at Ballina. He has won once and finished second once from four attempts over this distance. The son of All Too Hard does take on stronger opposition this afternoon, but he looks to have more to come. He has a good chance of following up with another victory here. SPIRIT IN THE SKY also won his maiden race in his last start. He has won once and finished second once in three outings on this course. He does take a step up in class today, but he looks progressive and may have more to come. Robert Thompson has ridden him in the past and the pair merit healthy respect.
