The lightly raced Snitzel gelding took his strike rate to four victories and a similar number of placings from 15 outings as the Tas Morton trained galloper was able to withstand the finishing run of Scatter Blast and Oakfield to land the major prize in the feature event on the holiday program.

Success was sweet for popular local rider, Luke Rolls, as Accoustix completed a riding double following his tough win by Razano in the opening race with the rider being fiercely competitive throughout the afternoon with second placings on Graceful Star, Dreams Out West and Delight.

Razano had been placed at Taree and Kempsey in recent times and the flashy chestnut filly deserved to break her maiden status for local mentor, John Sprague.

A dashing mid-race move by Ben Looker on the Jenny Graham trained mare, Eurogem, resulted in an impressive victory for the daughter of Eurozone in the third by just over three lengths.

After an enforced holiday, Looker has returned with determination following a successful riding resumption at Bowraville recently and his judgement on Eurogem proved it won't be long before he will be again approaching the achievements of previous seasons.

Keen racing judges were greatly impressed with the debut performance of the Kristen Buchanan trained gelding, Chosen Monarch, following a narrow win in the Maiden Plate.

After being stirred up prior to the start, the son of Choisir was able to kick clear in the straight with Jake Hull able to withstand the finishing burst of Dreams Out West to score a narrow victory.

On a day where exciting and close finishes were the trend, Delight looked the winner in the last before Aaron Bullock came from last with a phenomenal run between gallopers to claim the front in the shadows of the post and salute.

The win will prove a great tonic for prominent local trainer, Bob Milligan, who hasn't enjoyed the best of health in recent times with the stable enjoying a strong recent strike rate.

It was wonderful to see so many holiday makers taking advantage of the excellent trackside catering, wagering and bar facilities with the meeting conducted under fine skies on a genuine good surface.

The meeting has become a New Year tradition in the district and the attendance of approaching 2000 patrons sets the scene for another stellar racing year for the Port Macquarie Race Club.

A strong meeting is set to be conducted on January 10 before a fabulous day of racing at Port for the running of the $60,000 Queen of the North Handicap, one of the premier events on the club's calendar, to be run on January 24.

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