The Great Northern Open Handicap promised plenty and punters were not disappointed when Seeingisbelieving was able to score a last stride victory from Mister Smartee at Port Macquarie on Tuesday.
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The pair staged a spirited battle down the home running after Luke Rolls and Mister Smartee set the race tempo before the son of Smart Missile drifted to the centre of the track as the field headed for home.
Seeingisbelieving was camped just off the pace before making a move down the home running to claim Mister Smartee in the shadows of the post to score by a short head.
Keen form students were content to take some risks with Seeingisbelieving as the gelding was having his first run since finishing sixth at Kensington in March with Mister Smartee sensationally supported following a strong effort on Wauchope Cup day.
With the benefit of two barrier trials and the astute training efforts of Kim Waugh, Seeingisbelieving was responsible for a decisive victory over Mister Smartee with Chosen Prince holding on for third.
Victory for the Sebring gelding was the middle pin of a riding treble for Andrew Gibbons following success earlier in the day when his mount, Hyperlink, was able to withstand the finishing burst of Guest in the maiden plate for the Kris Lees training establishment.
Followers of the Lees stable began the day with confidence with a quinella in the first event when No Laughing Matter was able to dictate terms in the lead with Ben Looker kicking the daughter of Exosphere clear in the straight to hold the finishing burst of the stablemate, Whatsin.
This was compounded when Illecebrous made it a treble for the Lees and Gibbons combination when the More Than ready filly claimed a narrow victory in the last.
Kris Lees has the lead in the NSW trainer's premiership with 170 victories over Chris Waller on 163 1/2 while Andrew Gibbons sits second in the jockey's title behind Blaike McDougall.
Nombuso put the writing on the wall at a recent Port appearance when a solid third behind Sebago with the Neil Godbolt trained gelding ridden to perfection by Jeff Kehoe for a resounding victory over Razano and Stratacheva in the Class 1.
After early winners came down the middle of the home straight, Chief Havoc put the pen through the pattern when Belinda Hodder made a successful run along the fence in the fifth event and this was followed by French Command in the following race.
Victory by the veteran Court Command gelding continued the successful run enjoyed by Kempsey mentor, Hilary Dew, who was able to freshen French Command up following victory at the same track just over a week ago.
The action at Port continues with a six-event card on July 4 attracting full TAB and Sky Racing coverage followed by a stand-alone fixture on August 10.
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