The five-year-old galloper has been a revelation for the Neil Godbolt stable since he purchased the gelding at a mixed horse sale in Sydney.

Hard Marker came north without a win but has really put the runs on the board and could make it five wins in the Saxby’s 150 Years Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1250m.

“The horse has been a good investment and has paid for himself many times over,”said Godbolt.

“He is a big,strong type and Adam (Port jockey Adam Nichiolls) rides him well.”

Hard Marker resumed from a spell over 1217m at Grafton on February 27 where he ran second to stablemate All About Willy and should be poised to win again from his favourable two barrier.

The race is full of strong form and Hard Marker will be made to lump his big impost of 61kgs, seven kilos more than most of his rivals.

Taree five-year-old mare Shazza’s Bubbles has been sent out favourite at her past three starts and is getting a reputation as a “money muncher” by punters but conditions again suit.

She will have to run well to be given her chance in a $55,000 race for fillies and mares on the Sunshine Coast on Easter Sunday.

Trainer Ross Stitt said he would re-assess the trip north after the Taree race but he expects her to go well on her home track where she has three of her four wins,with two placings,from seven starts there.

“I don’t send her out favourite and she has freshened up nicely for this race,” he said.

Another Taree trainer, Cliff Bashford, reckons the sectionals of Port’s $100,000 country qualifying race for The Championships on March 6 were against his four-year-old gelding Vargo and he expects a better run this time.

“They walked early in the qualifier and it was virtually impossible for my horse to win from back in the field (beaten 3.3 lengths by Taree mare Sheza Gypsy).

“I expect Vargo to be handier this time to be given a better chance.”

Vargo at its previous run to Port was beaten a nose over 1000m at Taree.

Also rated hopes are Taree six-year-old mare Grand Feeling, trained by Bob Milligan and five-year-old Newcastle gelding Binesi, trained by Todd Howlett.

Grand Feeling has been knocking on the door for a win and was fourth at Newcastle last start to suggest she could add to her three wins and two placings from 16 starts at the track.

Godbolt nominated Theseo’s half-brother Fabry for two races on the card but opted against a Class 1 race over 1400m to start in the Class 2 Saxby’s Diet Ginger Beer Handicap over 1250m as he felt the longer distance may be too early in its preparation.

But throwing a spanner in the works was that Fabry, to again be ridden by top Cessnock jockey Robert Thompson for his family of owners, drew the outside barrier.

“It is a shocking barrier and he will need plenty of luck in the running,” Godbolt said.

Fabry led all the way to score his first win over 1000m at this track and then was a descending second at Port just over a week ago over the same distance to suggest the distance of this race is suitable.

Doug Ryan's selections:

Race 1: No More Drinks 1, Dream To Dance 2, World Of Pain 3.

Race 2: Catnap 1, Liberty Park 2, Big Sonny 3.

Race 3: Jay Mac’s Delight 1, Smarty Pants 2, Plain ‘N’ Simple 3.

Race 4: Mam’selle Harada 1, Minute Silence 2, Nonino 3.

Race 5: Pure Rock 1, Poet’s Trick 2, Hammoon Boy 3.

Race 6: Saintly Pro 1, Prime Minister 2, Lady Lobban 3.

Race 7: Smokin Snitzel 1, Bensabluboy 2, Money Ad 3.

Race 8: Hard Marker 1, Shazza’s Bubbles 2, Vargo 3.

Race 9: Fabry 1, Mosshappwn 2, Here Comes The Sun 3.