The son of Duporth settled in a forward position before Penza became dissatisfied with the slow speed set in front by Cogliere and dashed around the field to open up a commanding break down the side of the track.

Tom's Knight straightened for the run to the judge well clear and increased his lead for a dominant victory by just under five lengths over Cogliere with Dew Drop working home well for third while Saxon Rock ran an even race without ever threatening.

Success was sweet for Walcha trainer, George Woodward, who has another automatic entry into the club's feature after winning the prelude with Private Graze in 1998 while training at his previous Port Macquarie base.

Cogliere also gains a start exemption with the Marc Quinn trained gelding deriving great benefit from the run after being attacked for the early lead by Condover Hall while Dew Drop worked home well from a fair way back.

Bobby El-Issa made a triumphant return to Port when combining with Paul Perry to score a decisive victory aboard Kings Row in the middle-distance event after withstanding the finishing surge of Poetry in Motion.

It has been a career punctuated by battles with cancer and various interruptions, but the riding ability of the hoop was on display as the Uncle Mo gelding broke his maiden status.

Foxy Xenia was having her debut run following an even fourth in a recent Beaumont barrier trial and the David Atkins trained filly was prominently positioned early by Amelia Denby before racing clear to score in the opening event from Meydan Las and Wanna Tweet.

Nikki Trix provided plenty of encouragement for the Jenny Graham stable in the race after the Nicconi filly missed the start and continued to race ungenerously before finishing resolutely along the fence to figure just behind the placegetters.

Sagacious was able to score a narrow victory over Tupou in the Stowe 110yr Anniversary CG&E Maiden Hcp but the talk of the race was the outstanding performance of the Stephen Farley trained debutant, Our Cousin Al.

The son of Redente was giving the leaders an enormous start before Ben Looker commenced a run approaching the home bend and finished powerfully to gain fourth place.

Allan Denham made another successful journey from his Wyong base when Rory Hutchings drove Henschel to the post for an impressive victory in race four while Okay Boss returned to the winner's circle in the Benchmark 58 Handicap after being confidently supported at longer odds.

Emily Atkinson flashing down the outside to score on Charmmebaby in the sixth race before completing a riding double when Dorset Coast claimed Pace Stick in the shadows of the post to score by a nose in the closer.

Racing was conducted under fine and mild conditions with the good track providing a relatively even surface despite giving some advantage to horses racing on the pace and fairly close to the inside.

The club greatly appreciates the wonderful sponsorship of Stowe Australia as the leading electrical and communications company celebrates 110 years of dedicated service and hope to continue this association for many years to come.

The stage is now set for two massive days of racing highlighted by the $200,000 Port Macquarie Cup and $70,000 Port Macquarie Sprint on Friday 9th October followed by a seven-race program on Saturday 10th October.

With Coronavirus restrictions still evolving in lead up to the feature program, it is anticipated that a limited number of patrons will be available to attend the feature race meeting and it is a requirement that attendance intentions are registered with the Port Macquarie Race Club at admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au or 6581 1964.

Names and contact details will be required upon entry and restrictions remain in place for people who are unwell, are in one of the risk categories or have travelled from a hot spot area without following the required guidelines.

Further details will be announced regarding attendance limits and arrangements in the days leading up to the carnival.