Ballina Racing Tips 23 March - can Dunn land a double?
Port Macquarie Racing Tips 24 March — can Castelle do it again?
Port Macquarie — the setup
There’s one runner on this Port Macquarie card who actually owns a piece of evidence, not just vibes: Castelle has been to this track twice for a win and a placing. That doesn’t make her a “specialist” (two runs is still only two runs), but it does make her one of the few today who has already proved she handles the circuit and can finish off.
That matters because this meeting is full of maidens and lightly-raced types — exactly the races where track experience can be a real separator when the pressure comes on at the 200m. You’ve got seven races on turf, mostly short-course to mile/middle-distance, and the card reads like a day to side with runners who are trending forward rather than those who’ve had five or six chances without finding a way to win.
If you’re here for Port Macquarie racing tips with a clean point of view: I’m leaning into two angles. First, trainers who repeatedly place runners here with meaningful volume — and Kris Lees is the obvious one. Second, horses with a recent win or a clear “about to win” profile, especially when they draw to land in the first half without burning.
What Port Macquarie gives us today
Limited course form across today’s fields — most runners have one or two starts here, and plenty have none. That pushes me back toward (a) stable intent and (b) who’s actually been hitting the line in recent runs rather than making ground too late in slowly-run races.
One stable does stand out on pure Port Macquarie volume: K A Lees has sent 13 runners here for 2 wins and 7 placings — he hits the frame more than half the time at this track, and that’s a proper sample for a trainer.
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| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L P Rolls | 25 | 5 | 11 | 20.00 | 44.00 |
| B Looker | 14 | 3 | 7 | 21.43 | 50.00 |
| A Gibbons | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16.67 | 50.00 |
| G Buckley | 11 | 1 | 5 | 9.09 | 45.45 |
| MS W Costin | 5 | 1 | 2 | 20.00 | 40.00 |
| L Magorrian | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0.00 | 50.00 |
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K A Lees | 13 | 2 | 7 | 15.38 | 53.85 |
| Colt Prosser | 12 | 2 | 6 | 16.67 | 50.00 |
| P M Perry | 6 | 1 | 1 | 16.67 | 16.67 |
| MS K Buchanan | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 | 33.33 |
Race-by-race
Race 1: Janice Walker Mdn Plate — 13:15, 1094m
Hellavalegacy gets my early vote simply because the race sets up for a horse that can hold a spot from a kind draw, and she’s got barrier 1 to make that easy. In these sharp 1094m maidens, I’d much rather be saving petrol than trying to circle a field that hasn’t learned to get out of each other’s way yet. The Lees factor matters too: he brings runners to this track and they more often than not run a race.
The danger is Farnciful (gate 2) with Ashley Morgan riding — she’s the one with the “nearly” profile (5 then 2) and should land in the first three pairs without spending. If she’s got any improvement left, she can absolutely go past late.
What I’m against: horses drawn wide that will need luck early (there’s a couple) and those with the “had plenty of chances” look in a race where a simple map edge can win it.
Play: Win bet Hellavalegacy. Saver quinella with Farnciful if you want cover.
Race 2: Bevan’s Spirit Mdn Hcp — 13:50, 1312m
Here’s the puzzle: do you want the horse with the upside, or the horse who’s already shown they’ll put themselves in the finish? I’ll take the latter. Sirsa Nuwa has gone 5 then 2 and that’s the clearest “breaking through” pattern in the field. From gate 7 she’s going to need a clean early decision, but if Costin can land midfield with cover, she looks the one with the best blend of consistency and intent.
Fat Barry is the danger because he’s the only one in this race with meaningful Port Macquarie experience — he’s been here twice and placed once. That’s not a trend, but it’s enough to respect, and he’s already shown he can run into the placings against similar.
I’m happy to risk the backmarkers and the ones with long strings of numbers that don’t scream improvement. Maidens at 1312m reward horses who can take a spot and still finish.
Play: Win bet Sirsa Nuwa. If the price is skinny, go each-way and keep Fat Barry for exactas.
Race 3: Cousens Honour Mdn Plate — 14:25, 1640m
Chistota looks like the meeting’s classic “maiden who’s sick of being a maiden”. The recent form line (5-2-2) says he’s around the right grade and just needs a race where he can control the terms. Over 1640m, I want the horse that can absorb a mid-race move and still be there at the 200m, and that’s the profile he brings.
You also get a small but relevant course tick: he’s had one run at Port Macquarie for a midfield finish. That’s not something to hang your hat on, but it does tell you he’s seen the track before and didn’t melt down.
Bobbiwaa is the obvious danger — a 3yo with 7 then 2 reads like a horse finding his feet quickly, and from gate 8 he might get the right stalking run if the leaders overdo it.
Play: Win bet Chistota. If you’re playing multiples, save on Bobbiwaa.
Race 4: Joyce Nelson Plate (C1) — 15:05, 1969m
This is the best betting race on the card because there’s a horse with both track evidence and a recent profile that says “I belong here”. Castelle has visited Port Macquarie twice for a win and a placing, and she maps to get a fair crack from gate 6. Over 1969m, I want a runner who’s comfortable rolling into the race from the 600m rather than needing a last-second split — and her setup looks exactly that.
Her recent 90-day record stacks up too: three runs for a win and another placing. She doesn’t need to find a miracle spike, just repeat.
The danger is Dundee Tales (form 15-334) because he’s the one who can turn this into a staying grind. If he gets a soft lead or controls the speed, the closers can be made to look one-paced.
Play: Win bet Castelle. If you’re building a multi, she’s the banker leg.
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Race 5: Bncc Thanks Nardi Beresford Hcp (C1) — 15:40, 1312m
The market will probably gravitate to the last-start winner, and fair enough — Tipsy Miss comes off a win (347-1) and that’s the simplest positive in the race. But I’m not rushing in at the likely short quote from barrier 6 without odds in front of me, because this is a handicap and she now has to back it up under different conditions.
I’m siding with Crathie Kirk as the runner with the more interesting upside. He’s already won (431-) and you’re getting him out to a trip that should still suit, but in a race where plenty have had their chance. Gate 10 isn’t ideal, so Ashley Morgan has to make a decision: go forward and risk being trapped wide, or snag and need breaks. Either way, the horse has enough ability to overcome it.
Shoutaboutit is the danger if the race turns into a sit-and-sprint — he’s been in the mix (303-38) and from gate 2 can get the economical run others can’t.
Play: Each-way Crathie Kirk. Small saver win bet Tipsy Miss only if the price drifts into something you can live with.
Race 6: Chris Cousens Hcp (C1) — 16:15, 1312m
Here’s the market problem I’d rather play than fight: Excessor is lightly-raced, has already won (form 6-1), and sits in the weights with Ashley Morgan on. That’s the kind of setup that often gets underbet because punters anchor to older horses with more exposed figures — but upside is a weapon in these C1s.
The other part I like is the stable angle. Lees has a proper record at this track across 13 runners, and even when they don’t win, they’re usually in the finish. Excessor doesn’t need to be a world-beater; he just needs to keep progressing.
Master Zous is the danger because he’s also trending the right way (6-2571) and from barrier 4 should get first crack at the lead or the box seat. If he controls the tempo, he can steal it.
Play: Win bet Excessor. Quinella with Master Zous as insurance.
Race 7: Bncc Security Services (Bm66) — 16:50, 1203m
The contrast makes this race: Telegraph has the hard, seasoned profile — back-to-back wins before a fifth first-up (6811-5) — while Via Vegas is the “two runs, two very different stories” horse (920-01) who can look plain one day and then win the next. I’m happy taking the proven class edge.
Telegraph is my pick because I trust the horse who has already shown he can win races in sequence, and this doesn’t look deeper than a typical provincial BM66. If he holds a spot from gate 7 and starts building before the turn, he can put them away the old-fashioned way: sustained pressure.
Via Vegas is the danger purely off the ceiling. He’s been to Port Macquarie twice for a win, and his recent 90-day record is two runs for a win. Two runs at the track isn’t a pattern, but it’s enough to say he can cope with the place if the race shape falls his way.
Play: Win bet Telegraph. Save on Via Vegas if the odds gap is wide enough to justify it.
The plays
If you’re playing this meeting like I am, you don’t need to bet in every race — you need to be decisive in the races where the story is clean. My NAP is Castelle (Race 4, 15:05). She’s one of the few on the card with real Port Macquarie proof — a win and a placing from two visits — and her recent record says she’s still in form, not living off an old run.
The value look is Crathie Kirk (Race 5). The barrier makes it interesting, but he’s already shown he can win and you’re not buying him off a single last-start spike.
For multis, the banker stays Castelle — she’s the safest blend of track comfort and recent output.
The best each-way play is again Crathie Kirk: upside, right grade, and you’re paid if he lands in the finish even if the run isn’t perfect.
And the repeatable course angle? Keep respecting the Lees runners at this track — 13 runners here for 7 placings tells you he targets the place properly.
FAQ
What time does racing start at Port Macquarie today?
Port Macquarie gets underway at 13:15 with the Janice Walker Mdn Plate over 1094m.
Who are the top jockeys at Port Macquarie on today’s numbers?
On meaningful course volume, L P Rolls leads today’s jockey set at Port Macquarie with 25 rides for 5 wins and 11 placings. B Looker also rates strongly here: 14 rides for 3 wins and 7 placings.
Which trainer is the Port Macquarie angle on this card?
K A Lees is the clear course trainer to follow: 13 runners at Port Macquarie for 2 wins and 7 placings. He saddles multiple chances again, including Hellavalegacy (Race 1) and Excessor (Race 6).
What are the best bets at Port Macquarie today?
My best bet is Castelle in Race 4 (15:05). She’s been to Port Macquarie twice for a win and a placing, and her recent run set (three starts in the last 90 days for a win and another placing) says she’s ready to go on with it. For value, I’m happy playing Crathie Kirk each-way in Race 5.
Where can I find the best odds for Port Macquarie races?
Shop around bookmaker prices close to jump — especially for the maidens where markets can move sharply late. Odds weren’t available in the feed for this meeting at publish time, so check your preferred books directly before you bet. If you use odds comparison tools on RacingBase, focus on your main plays (Race 4 and Race 5) rather than trying to price every runner on the card.
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