With a start in the Kempsey Cup firmly on the agenda, First Time Lucky took the progression with a strong performance to salute in the I T W Buildex Class 3 Handicap as the curtain came down on a successful carnival at Port Macquarie on Saturday.
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Barry Ratcliff had sights set on his Hinchinbrook gelding winning the event to become eligible for the hometown feature and Ray Spokes didn't let the side down as he powered down the outside to claim the early leader, Yu Long Sheng Hui near the finishing line.
First Time Lucky landed the prize in dashing fashion and has stepped up in grade from the recent victory at Grafton to success in the Class 3 event indicating the ambitious campaign is certainly within reach.
The Kempsey Cup has eluded Ratcliff in a career stretching over thirty years with horses under his care being placed in a long and distinguished training career with First Time Lucky providing strong ammunition to break the drought.
Riding honours were shared throughout the day with Colt Prosser trained horses responsible for victories in the first and final events on the day with Tallis and Meter Eater.
Scratchings detracted some interest in the Farewell Sparra 3yo Maiden but it didn't stop Peter Graham kicking away for a comprehensive victory on the Direct Charge gelding, Tallis, while Metre Eater hit the line powerfully in claiming success in the last.
Ride of the day honours went to Brooke Stower following her poised performance on the Neil Godbolt trained mare, Our Girl Babs, after she burst the daughter of Clangalang into the clear to run down Red Intuition for an impressive win in the middle-distance event.
Welter was facing the starter for the first time and punters who wagered confidently on the Your Song gelding had little to fear as Andrew Gibbons piloted the Wayne Wilkes trained galloper to victory in the maiden plate while Arabolini led all the way for the John Cooper and Chris O'Brien in the following event.
Oakfield Monarch defied a betting drift and a confident plunge on Showada with a decisive win in the Benchmark 58 after the Kris Lees trained gelding was able to arrest the lead from Eerised in the shadows of the post.
The club was blessed that rain failed to materialise on cup day until after the final event with overnight conditions causing the track to be posted as a heavy eight rating.
The course had a good covering of grass with placement of the moveable rail providing advantage to horses finishing down the outside in the home straight.
A strong holiday attendance was on hand to enjoy the fine trackside facilities with the meeting conducted under threatening skies but without the predicted rain eventuating.
The club is greatly appreciative of the continued support provided by the Steeline Group for the second day of the carnival and hope their team had a wonderful day of racing action at the track.
The cup carnival provided many great racing memories with the president, Greg Delaforce, and the Port committee passing on a huge thanks to everyone who assisting in making the two days of racing such a wonderful success.
The trackside action continues on October 27 with a strong eight race program scheduled with full TAB and Sky Racing coverage and punters able to follow all the action from Coonabarabran Cup day.
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