He had head victories on Professor Marx ($4.40) and Money Ad ($10 to $6.50) and a long neck win on Touch Sensitive ($2) in a heat of the Rising Star Series for apprentice jockeys.

It was a good day out for stand-in strapper Rachel Northam with Scone trainer Rodney Northam winging it to Hong Kong for some recreation for Professor Marx and Touch Sensitive were under her care.

“Rod has gone away for a few days…I certainly have been impressed with Blake,” she said.

Four-year-old gelding Professor Marx did best in a three-horse duel over the concluding stages to score at its first run since July in a track record for the unusual distance of 1005m of the Radio 2RE Class 3 Handicap.

“He is a stable favourite and doesn’t know how to run a bad race…he’s all heart,” Northam said.

“He was nice and fit for a first up run.”

Second was Gosford mare Run Sally Run ($3.40), which tried to lead all the way,a half-head in front of  $2.40 favourite, Warwick Farm mare Phoebe’s Lass, trained by Gregory Hickman.

Touch Sensitive was always in the leading division and had something in hand in beating Taree mare Capital Magic, trained by Bob Milligan and ridden by Mikayla Weir in the Santa Comes Early!-On December 18 Class 3 Handicap over 1257m in a track record.

Northam praised McDougall for his “cool head” ride.

Milligan had better luck with five-year-old mare Money Ad coming from back in the field and wide out to snatch victory on the line in the Harrington Cup Day—January 5 Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1408m.

All of Money Ad’s five wins in 32 starts have been at this track.

Another track record was set with Taree four-year-old mare I’ll Take Money ($17), trained by Ross Stitt and ridden by local jockey Scott Thurlow, scoring by just under a length in the MNCRA Championships Heat—February 25, 3YO & Upwards Fillies & Mares Maiden Plate over 1308m.

Stitt said the mare was only small but she’s “got a bit of speed.”

He said track rider Cecilia Reid had a lot to do with her preparation.

Six of the races were won by visiting gallopers, one of them being Gosford four-year-old gelding Mr Pretty Boy ($4.80), trained by Gregory McFarlane and ridden by Adrian Layt, in the 2017 Special Events At The WPFC Maiden Handicap over 1005m.

McFarlane said he was confident of a win after applying blinkers to his galloper.

“He travelled lovely..the blinkers did the trick,” Layt said.

Some nice bets were landed ($15 to $10) when Coffs Harbour four-year-old gelding Boncosta, trained by Brett Bellamy and ridden by Raymond Spokes, scored a head win in a track record at only its second start in the XXXX Gold 3yo & Upwards Entires & Geldings Maiden Plate over 1308m.

“This horse had 12 months off but has done everything right on the track since,” Bellamy said.

The easiest of wins, by seven lengths and could have been more, was recorded by four-year-old Newcastle gelding Calypso Bay ($1.45), trained by Kris Lees and ridden by Aaron Bullock, in the Wingham Beef Exports Country Class 1 over 2012m.

It was only having its fifth start and had won previously at Wyong.

Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer, a regular visitor to Taree, finally had some luck with four-year-old gelding Zigamore ($3.20), ridden by Chad Lever, scoring by 1.25 lengths in the Saxbys Soft Drinks Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1609m.

Zigamore had been no further back than fifth, with three third placings, at its past five starts and was overdue for the win in beating Taree grey Clune’s Rocket ($16) which should win shortly for trainer Michael Byers.

Racing returns to Taree on December 18 for the big Christmas TAB meeting featuring Santa and giveaways for the kids.