Maybe he is good enough to beat this lot, although his trials are only average-looking on paper.

Race 3 Port Macquarie Race Club and Function Centre Maiden 1000m

STAGE Left ran a good time when second in a Grafton trial back in November and has a big chance to grab victory on debut.

Tas Morton and Peter Graham team up and the son of Pure Theatre will stalk the very fast Stylish Traveller to the turn and try to gun him down late.

Stylish Traveller is the obvious - he goes like a scalded cat and with the rail out, he might prove hard to run down.

He has run three palcings from four starts since landing in this district from Sydney.

Graekel has had no favours with the barrier draw (12) but put up a very good run when third to Ripthis and Suferboy at Taree (Nov 22) and will be in there fighting at the end.

Home track will help.

The first-starter Give Im Za trialled well at Coffs (second in July on a heavy track) and is from the good stable of Brett Bellamy with the in-form Ray Spokes to ride.

Race 4 Carlton Draught Maiden Handicap 1500m

THIS is the day’s best bet Sequoia Rose.

She has the right jockey (Dale Spriggs), right trainer (Kris Lees), right barrier (5) and most importantly the right distance (1500m).

The filly has had only three starts and all have indicated that she is looking for ground.

She had no luck at Scone two runs ago when badly held up for a run.

She then made very good ground late over 1300m at Scone to run fourth behind the ultra-impressive Gulab Juman.

She will win!

Skydome is her main danger (if any) and battled away fairly last start over 1200m at this track when fourth to Unworry - but 1500m?

They all wanted to tell you Take Hold would go well at Port last start but he went terribly when a six-length fifth to Sapphire Moon first up, so maybe he can improve over more ground.

Bindifield would run a place in the City To Surf (0-7-15) but struggles to win.

He has had a month off and will whack away again.

Race 5 Top Cut Food Industries Class 1 1100m

THIS is a really good race where luck in running will play a huge part.

The dogs will bark Ripthis, who fell in to win her maiden at Taree last start but I will be laying her.

There is a heap of speed in this race and she steps to 1100m and will need a huge breather if she can hold off the swoopers.

Magnification got caught behind a horse going nowhere last start and was winding up very strongly late in the lead up race to this when fourth to Chenkajest over 1000m at this track two weeks ago.

1100m suits and the wide barrier just means he will not get hemmed in on the rail this time.

Better Not Doubt tried valiantly and just failed to catch Chenkajest when a nose second last time.

He sweated up badly after the race and he should be just about ready to peak.

Robert Thompson knows him now and he does not look that easy to ride - whatever beats him wins.

It’s Our Turn has had no luck at the gate (11) and will have to push forward but is consistent and Dream And Excel looks somewhat of a place chance after a good Newcastle run in a Class 2 last time out when fourth to Kintyre Kid.

Race 6 Top Cut Food Industries Maiden Handicap 1100m

TREMENDOUS race.

The speedometer will be working overtime keeping up with these flyers.

Eripsni looks the obvious here with a brilliant second after leading up to Dorf Command at Randwick two runs ago – a very good guide to this race.

She then went to Eagle Farm and ran a good race over 1200m – too far? – when sixth to conquering Queen.

Back home she looks the one to beat.

Seen Im will get lost here but if he can get anywhere near them on the turn, I think he is the knockout horse.

He’s had a couple of cracks in town lately and did not disgrace himself and if they go mad he will fly late.

Jestachenka had his chance last start when third to Country Tide (Sequent second) at this track and will again get to the line hard.

Sequent is as game as they come but the tiny mare has 59.5kg – you would think she will get edged out again.

Wouldn’t leave out Great Feeling off the inside gate either. If it happened to rain, he would be right in it.

Race 7 Pump Benchmark 50 1200m

THIS one’s got me well and truly tricked.

The horses are either in (a) good form and well up in weight and massively back in distance; (b) totally out of form and impossible to back; or (c) in mediocre form but down in weight.

I will go with (c) and Brado’s Boy falls into the down in weight but average form category.

He led and was run down by Wafer last start when a tiring ninth.

But, they went like mad in front in that race and there is a lot less speed here, he dictates and holds for mine.

Catorgory (a) is Nepalese that led and won very well here last start but that was over 1500m.

He is a notoriously poor beginner, but has barrier two and could keep sneaking up on the rail.

I would be on him still but he rises 4kg for his last start win - too much!

The first-upper Charming Investment had good enough form before a spell to warrant plenty of attention.

But will find it hard first up from barrier (16).

Cripes he will be dodging bullets from the shooters in the rifle range, which runs alongside the back straight he will be that wide.

He and Brado’s Boy will come over together and sit one two.

Maybe Millimollymandy might do something.

She returns to the scene of her one and only win in 11 starts.

Bruno Twenty Two is racing well.

After all that, to tell you the truth, I have no idea at all about this race! Good luck.

Race 8 Radio 531 Benchmark 65 Handicap

I LIKE Island Dane off an inside gate in a top class finish to the program.

He is starting to peak and ran a bottler of a race at Wyong last start when just 3.5 lengths off them.

He has just 53.5kg and will sit behind what is a hot speed to the turn and run on strongly.

He meets his main danger Xaarmelody 4kg better from their last meeting.

Xaarmelody is a huge chance, he lumped 62kg last start and did well to finish fourth to Wafer at this track two weeks ago.

He has a wide gate but is a very promising horse.

Impulsive Act is very consistent, and ran a narrow third in the Wingham Cup and meets both the winner Field Dictator and the runner-up Safeas better at the weights.

Those two horses are both in the mix.

There are a heap of other chances like Irish Cross and Mafia Don.

But the lightweights have it for mine.

Bookies best:

Graeme Cook is keen on Better Not Doubt in race five.

“He is looking for the 1100m and was very game last start when second to Chenkajest. He can go one better today,” said Cook.

Under the odds:

Cook will take on Sequent in race six.

“She has now jumped up to 59.5kg and, as you indicated, she is only small and this is a high pressure race with leaders everywhere,” Cook said.

“I think she will get nutted again.”