By Nick Berney
Provincial gelding Headstart looks set to peak and break through for his maiden win at Port Macquarie today in the Gemlife Rainbow Beach Maiden Handicap (1206m).
The three-year-old has a strong platform leading into this event, and all key indicators suggest he will relish the rise in trip.
Racing returns to Port Macquarie on Sunday with a seven-race card.Credit:Fairfax
He had excuses in his debut but ran an honest race second up at this track 16 days ago, where he hit the line well. The late market fluctuations suggested he would improve from the run, and his sectional profile supports this.
He can be expected to settle closer with a significant barrier change, and jockey Aaron Bullock retains the ride.
A clear danger is the Kristen Buchanan-trained gelding Taking The Mikki, which was brave in defeat last start at this track.
The four-year-old led at a very fast tempo and never shirked his task to the line. To add further merit to that performance, he stuck on while the other on-pace runners faded, and that race rated highly relative to the day. He will need some luck from the wide draw but will take some catching if he gets it.
Lightly raced improver Lisztomania returns to the track and is set to make his mark in the Carlton Dry MNCRA Championship Preview (1206m).
The four-year-old’s last start was full of merit at Doomben when running second in a race where he wasn’t suited after settling at the rear of the field in a slow tempo.
He had to make a wide, sustained sprint and clocked one of the fastest final 600m splits of the meeting and just peaked on his run over the concluding stages. A repeat of that performance will put him right in the finish.
Mr Tobasco looms as a threat and gets in well at the weights after the astute claim for apprentice Courtney Bellamy. The gelding is rock-hard fit and trainer Larry Fairhall has saddled up 15 winners from his past 100 runners at a profit on turnover of 45.7%.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
