Brilliant early speed and a patient ride from Georgina McDonnell resulted in Bay of Bengal scoring a decisive victory in the Great Northern Super Crisp Class 2 Handicap at Port Macquarie on Saturday.
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McDonnell is a promising apprentice and was able to withstand the early challenge of the Neil Godbolt trained stablemate, Grand Acheeva, and the finishing effort of Essoss to score by a length with Cliff's Choice working home well for third prize.
Victory is a real family affair as the son of Sepoy is part owned by Neil and Maxine Godbolt together with Brian Burgmann, who was a former president of the race club.
Punters supported Bay of Bengal confidently with the gelding claiming favouritism in the latter stages of betting transactions over Supreme Prince and their judgement was vindicated as the latter finished well behind the ultimate winner.
Supreme Prince and his Brett Bellamy trained stablemate, Venusian, didn't seem to handle the track conditions and were never a winning prospect.
Bellamy did have some consolation when Rich Velvet stormed down the outside to claim victory in the Vale Peter Garlick Benchmark 50 Handicap.
In a finish that had racing enthusiasts on the edge of their chairs, Jayden Barrie came with a well-timed run down the outside section of the course on Rich Velvet to claim De Goey and Madame Bonser and score by a length.
Ben Looker was the most successful jockey on the program after victories aboard Royal Admiral in race three followed by the win of Eurosymbol in the Trackside Photography Handicap.
After having no real luck aboard Loburn Lass earlier in the day, Looker bounced back with vengeance to provide Gosford trainer, Tony Newing, with a narrow win on Royal Admiral before Eurosymbol scored a dominant victory for Matthew McCudden in the penultimate event.
Midnight Rambler missed the start in the Maiden Plate but had plenty in reserve when Ray Spokes coasted to the post on the John Sprague trained former Victorian while Matthew Palmer returned to the saddle with success on Shakti in race two.
Palmer hadn't ridden since sustaining injury following a ride at the Gold Coast on Boxing Day but showed his riding ability when partnering the Jason Deamer trained filly to a comprehensive win by just under two lengths.
Following the deluge of rain in the preceding week, credit must go to the hard work and dedication of the ground staff who produced a great racing surface under the conditions and punters were further delighted when the stewards upgraded the rating to a soft seven.
The club is delighted to continue a great association with Great Northern Super Crisp, John Oxley Motors, Tabcorp, ATM2HIRE and Trackside Photography and thank them for providing the platform for a successful day.
Racing continues at Port this Saturday with the presentation of a full TAB and Sky program featuring increased prizemoney to $22,000 per race and the addition of a Class 2 Handicap over 1100 metres.
As this period coincides with Tancred Stakes day at Rosehill and the start of school holidays, all are welcomed to attend with a reminder the venue is a Covid safe environment and all procedures and guidelines are followed extensively.
General admission is available on race day and further details regarding tickets and seating arrangements in the Livermore Stand and Clydesdale Room are available by contacting the club on 02 6581 1964 or email on admin@portmacquarieraceclub.com.au.
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