Many of them were dressed in green shirts with the name of their four-year-old gelding emblazoned  in white letters…and they were ready to party!

“This is my first horse…I picked him out as a foal,” a happy Judy Clarke said.

“It has been a big thrill all the way along…it’s been amazing.”

There are 10 members of the syndicate and some of them were or are employed by the sponsors in their business at Wingham.

Another part-owner, David Blanch, described Wyong trainer Alan Kehoe as “a magician” in having Epic Dan notch its fourth win, second at the track, from 16 starts.

“A change of gear did the trick (blinkers off,winkers on) after our horse was wide last start but still managed a close third,” he added.

Stable rep Jarrod McKee said Epic Dan was back to his best in leading all the way and the distance “is about his best.”

Jockey Grant Buckley was all smiles after the win as he picked up the ride late when Matt Bennett scratched from the meeting.

Favourite Spinning Quarters ($3.20) from Grafton battled on well for a half-length second, a length in front of improving Newcastle gelding Torquay ($10).

Four-year-old mare Port Gold ($5.50) is being set for The Championships after also leading all the way for a long neck win in the Hepworths & Cellsera Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1412m.

The mare, owned by Ron Kirwan and his wife from Port Macquarie, is trained on the track by Robert Lane and was ridden by Wauchope apprentice Mollie Partridge.

Strapper Geoff Pares said the mare’s last start disappointing run in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill could be excused as the trip was done on a hot day.

“She tries hard but was probably a bit flat due to the heat,” he said.

Catch me if you can tactics proved a winner for Taree apprentice jockey Chloe Baker as she let five-year-old local mare Lobban Dynamite stretch its front-running lead to about a dozen lengths mid-race before scoring by seven lengths for trainer Robert Barnes and a big group of owners and well-wishers in the WRS Orora Benchmark 60 Handicap over 2018m.

“This is a bit of a surprise…I didn’t think she would lead like that,”  Barnes said.

He also bred the mare by local sire Floral Dynamite from Excello.

Punters again had their fingers burnt in making Coffs Harbour gelding Star Fest the $2.30 favourite in the race, it only battling on for second with rider, Port’s Peter Graham, forgoing other rides on the card due to sickness.

Big, strong looking four-year-old gelding Silent Image ($3 to $2.30) justified its favouritism with a dominant 1.75 lengths win at its first outing since September for Wyong trainer John Fairleigh and late-pick-up jockey Chris O’Brien in the David Roper Memorial Maiden Handicap over 1007m.

O’Brien said the gelding had “plenty of upside” and could claim a better race.

A disappointing run due to “heat stress” when 13th at Scone last start, was put to bed with a dominant 3.25 lengths win for four-year-old mare Happy ($11), trained by Allan Denham and ridden from an outside barrier by Robert Thompson, in the Mid Coast Bearings Maiden Plate over 1257m.

“This is easy,” a happy Thompson said to a rival trainer.

Jockey Josh Adams had his first win at his third race meeting in a comeback from suspension when he led all the way on Gosford six-year-old mare Run Sally Run ($4), trained by Grant Allard, in the Sealed Air Food Care Class 3 Handicap over 1007m in fast time.

Three of the mares four wins have been at Taree where she thrives but, according to Allard, she doesn’t put in the same on her home track.

Also bound for the Country Championships is Coffs Harbour four-year-old gelding Boncosta ($2.90 to $2), a 1.5 lengths winner for trainer Brett Bellamy and jockey Raymond Spokes in the Hillard & Berry Solicitors Country Class 1 Plate over 1614m.

“This galloper has had four runs for me for two wins and two placings, beaten less than a half length,”said Bellamy who has a high opinion of the galloper.

Racing returns to Taree on January 31 for a TAB meeting conducted again by Taree Wingham Race Club.