Five years after scoring in the 2013 Port Macquarie Cup, Phrases has the chance to rewrite history with the grey gelding claiming a guaranteed start in the Mid North Coast feature by saluting in the Port Cup Prelude on Sunday.
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The Cheers family have done a wonderful job with the Casino Prince galloper with victory taking his record to nine wins and 21 minors from 86 appearances and stake earnings over the half million-dollar mark.
Warwick Farm galloper, Tinker Dan was the solidly supported favourite with a great deal of interest surrounding the Neil Godbolt trained gelding, Shadow Prince, who was coming through the grades nicely following wins at Taree and Grafton.
Melted Moments had his fair share of admirers while the Jenny Graham stable has enjoyed an outstanding year and followers expected Backhouse Billy to perform admirably.
Matthew Paget gained the early ascendancy on Shadow Prince before being challenged in the second half of the race by Phrases while Tinker Dan was making ground as the field approached the run for home.
Terry Treichel raced the nine-year-old grey, Phrases, to the lead from Shadow Prince in the straight before Ben Looker made his challenge on Tinker Dan with the John Steinmetz trained gelding momentarily striking the lead.
Phrases was not to be denied as he kept kicking back on the rails to hit the front again while Tinker Dan started to race well under pressure.
With both runners gaining automatic entry for the Port Macquarie Cup on October 5, the toughness of Phrases together with the benefit of a debut run on the track by Tinker Dan will provide great ammunition for their followers in this prestigious event.
Racing honours were evenly spread by trainers and jockeys throughout the afternoon with the combination of Kris Lees and Andrew Gibbons responsible for the most impressive performance when Think Free scored by five lengths in the opening event.
The largest successful betting plunge for the day went to the Paul Perry trained gelding, Shark Alley, who saluted with Chad Lever in the saddle, while On My Terms attracted a great deal of wagering attention without delivering.
Racing was conducted under fine skies on a soft five circuit with patrons treated to some very exciting racing and close finishes.
There was a great deal of interest in the performance of Je Suis Tycoon, a horse recently transferred to the Neil Godbolt stable from Victoria.
After racing in the middle of the pack and having an interrupted passage at vital parts of the concluding stages, the Written Tycoon mare worked home well and could provide success in future contested events.
The track featured a good grass covering and raced relatively evenly as horses could win by being placed near the speed early or finish fast down the outside over the concluding stages.
The stage is now set for two magnificent days of racing headed by the Port Macquarie Cup and the Showcase Sprint on October 5.
With prizemoney reaching around $400,000 and the racing spotlight centering on the Mid North Coast circuit, the very best horses, trainers and jockeys in the land will be heading to Port Macquarie for the pinnacle program on the calendar.
The carnival culminates with Steeline race day on October 6 and the prospect of good weather conditions together with the school holiday period further enhancing the possibility of greatly increased patronage.