Race-by-race preview and tips for Port Macquarie on Sunday

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

1. Polymer had one start at Swan Hill in October and was beaten less than two lengths when finishing fifth. He resumes for a new stable in this event and has had a recent barrier trial in which he finished third at Taree. He doesn’t strike an overly tough race and can break his maiden status. 11. Home Siren is a filly making her debut and she ran second in a recent Taree trial. She bears close watching. 10. Sunstaz has been placed in three of her four starts and comes into this fresh after finishing fourth in a field of four at Coffs Harbour on February 15. An improved showing is on the cards here. 9. Miss Como finished second at Coffs Harbour three starts ago and has since been safely held when fifth and seventh. She is capable of a better showing.

How to play it: Polymer WIN.

Race 2

1. Carmine has been placed in two of his six starts and while he has been out of the placings in his past four runs, he wasn’t beaten far when seventh and less than a length from the winner at Wyong when last produced. This looks an ideal race for him. 10. Pratibha ran second at this track at her second start in a race and then disappointed at Muswellbrook when last produced. She can lift on that performance. 2. Siccius had a number of trials before debuting with a seventh at Wyong and can improve here with the benefit of the race experience. 3. Risk And Famous wasn’t too far away here two starts back and since failed at Tuncurry. He can get into the placings here.

How to play it: Carmine WIN.

Race 3

6. Deebee’s Girl is a speedy mare that won well at Kempsey four starts ago. She ran second at the same track two starts ago and wasn’t disgraced in the other two runs either side of that. She will go forward again here and take running down. 5. Send A Telegram ran well when a last start third at Taree behind Cutting Edge and only needs to run up to that to be hard to hold out. 1. Cutting Edge did the job well to score in that Taree event and should be prominent again with a repeat. 8. She’s A Wild One is resuming from a spell and has been placed in both first-up assignments.

How to play it: Deebee’s Girl EACH WAY.

Race 4

8. Busy Bee debuted at Taree earlier this month and ran well when finishing second, beaten two lengths. She’s drawn well and can go one better against these. 3. Rockbarton Marshal ran third in the same race Busy Bee contested at Taree and shouldn’t be far away again with a repeat of that. 6. Longchamp Lad has been placed in all three runs since resuming and should be prominent again. 5. Rockbarton Bolt was safely held on debut at Taree but is capable of showing improvement.

How to play it: Busy Bee WIN.

Race 5

5. Damascus Gate raced well when finishing fifth at this track two starts ago when not beaten far. He backed that up with an all-the-way win at Taree and he only needs to run up to that effort to be hard to hold out again. 6. Rockbarton Icon has been placed in his latest two starts and another bold showing is on the cards on his current form. 2. Mortlake led throughout to score at Gosford last time out and can be prominent again. 8. Rock The Machine has been racing well with two straight wins and warrants respect.

How to play it: Damascus Gate EACH WAY.

Race 6

7. Stern Dispute did the job well to score as favourite at Taree in February at his second start. He failed at Tamworth after that before winning a Beaumont track trial at Newcastle and running a solid fifth at Wyong. He looks suited in this. 12. Shelly’s Lookout ran well when finishing second here two starts back and then was midfield at Taree. She shouldn’t be underestimated. 11. Time Ruler ran fourth at Scone when last produced and has place claims. 8. Battledance has been midfield in two starts since scoring at Taree three runs ago. He should be working home well again.

How to play it: Stern Dispute WIN.

Race 7

5. Steely Girl raced on the pace and won in good style here four starts back. She has since finished fourth at Taree and this track either side of a seventh at Taree. She should push forward in this line-up, and if she can get a run to suit, she will take plenty of beating. 12. Chisato led throughout to score a resuming win on the Beaumont track at Newcastle before disappointing when failing to beat a runner home at Gosford. Expect a better run against these. 4. Savvyrocker charged home late when a last start second at Taree and can be thereabouts with a repeat of that. 8. Maggie Sparkles finished off strongly to score a last start Armidale win, and she can show up again without surprising.

How to play it: Steely Girl EACH WAY.

Best Bets: Race 1 (1) Polymer.
Race 4 (8) Busy Bee.

Best Value: Race 7 (5) Steely Girl.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays at racingnsw.com.au