The Alan Scorse-trained galloper has had three wins and four thirds in eight starts at the track and even though meeting younger gallopers, it should be hard to beat.

Scorse has always maintained that his galloper “loves” the track and distances around 1400m and on this occasion the gelding will have to get a cosy run near the pace to figure over the 1412m of the Conferences At The Winning Post Function Centre Benchmark 65 Handicap.

Aiding the galloper’s bid is a good draw and the services of Port Macquarie star apprentice jockey Melinda Graham,in good form and takes a 1.5kgs claim.

Gentleman Joh should be hard fit for its assignment in being fifth up from a spell after a last start fourth over 1300m at home to All But Gone.

Improving Wyong four-year-old gelding Fired Up, trained by Tracey Bartley and to be ridden by Grant Buckley, who rode three winners at Wagga on Thursday, looms as the danger as it finished just behind Gentleman Joh last start.

Two Taree gallopers, four-year-old mare Money Ad, trained by Bob Milligan,and four-year-old gelding Chalcedony, from the track specialist stable of Matthew Robinson, are in the mix.

Money Ad was having its third run back from a spell and was a 1.8 lengths second to Positive Charge over 1200m on the Beaumont track at Newcastle on November 15 and should be suited by the extra journey.

Chalcedony has won three races from its previous five starts before a spell and will strip much fitter after a resuming seventh, beaten 4.5 lengths by Kempsey galloper Harvard Graduate over 1215m at Coffs Harbour,and has won two of its races on this track.

Six-year-old gelding Source Of Harmony, trained by Grant Marshall at Broadmeadow, flew for second to Delagos over this distance here a week ago and is bound to add to its 46 starts for three wins and 27 placings. 

Port trainer Jenny Graham has last start winner Stradance firing and could figure in another two races with Bazza’s Boy in the Taree Race Club Sponsors Class 1 and Maiden Plate over 1614m and with resuming Portatorio in the Welcome To New Members CG & E Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1007m.

Bazza’s Boy was third here to Minute Silence over 1600m on October 23 and is primed for a better run whereas Portatorio won a trial here last meeting and when in work last won and placed at this track.

Doug Ryan's selections:

Race 1: Capital Magic 1, What Could Be 2, Master Spy 3.

Race 2: Golden Perch 1, The Past 2, Shepley 3.

Race 3: Faith And Fury 1, Kate’s Pearl 2, Runaway Jet 3.

Race 4: Portatorio 1, Dos Santos 2, Hackman 3.

Race 5: Lucky Elixir 1, Butterfly Sky 2, Lady With Spurs 3.

Race 6: Bazza’s Boy 1, Stourhead 2, Adverbs 3.

Race 7: Gentleman Joh 1, Fired Up 2, Money Ad 3.

Race 8: Port Gold 1, Ultimate Dreamer 2, Miss Tripod 3.