KIRK Matheson has ridden the winner at the $8000 New Year’s Day cup race at the Port Macquaire Race Club.
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Over 1210 metres, Matheson was victorious on Hank Scorpio, a strong 59.5 kilogram three year old gelding. He finished 0.37 seconds ahead of Shrapelli, jockeyed by Jeff Kehoe.
Multiple wins for the Tom Higgins and Robert Agnew combination, together with a riding double to Matheson, highlighted a highly successful New Year’s Day of racing.
Matheson was able to cling to victory in the New Year’s Cup feature aboard Hank Scorpio by a half neck in a finish that had the large holiday crowd on their feet.
All conquering trainer, Benjamin Smith puts the polish on the gelding and the win continues the great run of success the stable is enjoying, particularly at the Port circuit,
Despite challenges from Shrapelli, Stoddart and Gold Dancer, the gelding has now been propelled from maiden success at Newcastle to Class 3 company within one month.
Kirk Matheson made it a double with the decisive win of Smithtown for prominent Gladstone trainer, Peter Ball in the final event.
Earlier in the day the combination of trainer, Tom Higgins and rider, Robert Agnew were seen to advantage with the posting of wins by Budawang in the second race and Speed with Ease in the third.
It was a wonderful commencement of the year for highly accomplished rider, Robert Agnew, who continues the family’s great thoroughbred racing tradition.
The action was conducted under overcast skies on a soft surface, which looked an absolute picture despite the December rain, and a strong holiday attendance enjoyed exciting racing action.
The January carnival continues for the club with a twilight meeting sponsored by Port Macquarie Panthers on Friday 12th with all Panthers members admitted free of charge.
This meeting has full TAB and Sky coverage and an additional race has been programmed to take overall stakes for the day to $160,000.
The Maiden Plate (1200m) has been split by sex with a F&M Maiden Plate (1200m) and C, G&E Maiden Plate (1200m) now being run.
Nominations for the meeting close at 11am on Monday, January 8.
The highlight of holiday racing action at the Port circuit is on Australia Day, January 26th, with the running of the prestigious Patriots Bloodstock Queen of the North Handicap worth $60,000 in prize money.
