“The Taree race looked a good tempo one which I thought would suit my horse,” he said.

“He gets into lots of trouble in his races but I think he is very smart.”

The four-year-old was slow away when fourth over 1412m to Newcastle gelding Fratellino at Taree at its previous start but on Friday jockey Ben Looker had the gelding mid-field early.

It then unleashed a powerful sprint to score by just under three lenghs from Dubbo gelding Our Sarastro ($6.50), trained by Connie Greig, a short neck in front of Taree mare and last year’s cup winner Who Is Game ($13), trained by Michael Byers.

Lane believes Mr McBat could be a city winner after having two wins and a few placings since he got the gelding about 12 months ago.

“He’s got that good turn of foot.”

Our Sarastro was always in the leading division, Who Is Game was just behind the pace and those behind Mr McBat early virtually stayed there when the pace was clapped on about 1000m out.

Taree Wingham Race Club chairman Greg Coleman in praising long-time sponsors Wingham Services Club said Mr McBat ”got the right run.”

Wingham Services Club president Harry Rider, a long-time owner of racehorses, congratulated the winning connections, said the club was “delighted” to support the race and hoped to again next year.

Visiting gallopers again had a field day with seven of the eight winners, the lonely local one being provided by Port Macquarie trainer John Sprague with four-year-old gelding Drummed Out ($6), a head winner for jockey Matthew Paget in the De Bortoli Wines Class 3 Handicap over 1300m.

“I have finally got him worked out,” said Sprague of his galloper which looked promising after wins early in its career.

He said the gelding needed to relax off the pace and then make its run, the ride of Paget making the difference.

One of the owners, Port builder Graeme Cook, said: “It has taken time to work the horse out,” but he was happy to see Drummed Out record its fourth win at its 23rd start.

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees and his stable jockey Andrew Gibbons had a winning double with three-year-old filly Not Surprising ($2.60) in the Mid Coast Automotive Group Maiden Plate over 1000m and three-year-old gelding Kool Vinnie ($6) in the Wingham Services Club Class 1 Handicap over 1250m.

Stable representative Cheree Marsham said Not Surprising, having her first start since May last year, had the time off to mature.

“She showed promise early and before she raced again she had two nice trials.”

Gibbons said of the filly: “She will improve heaps off that run.”

Easiest win of the meeting was notched by Wyong gelding Imperial Eagle ($4.80), it being by four lengths, for trainer Allan Denham and jockey Robert Thompson, in the Hydra Hose 2YO Handicap over 1250m in a class record on the good-rated track.

Strapper Cherie McErlane said Imperial Eagle in running third at its previous start at Kempsey was wide whereas Thompson had the gelding leading on the rails all the way for its win.

Wyong trainer Jeff Englebrecht said some handy runs were rewarded with his four-year-old mare We’re Smokin ($4 to $2.70) , ridden by Grant Buckley, scoring by nearly three lengths in the Stacks Law Firm Maiden Handicap over 1400m.

Another Wyong gelding, Oakfield Midnight ($4.80), trained by Kristen Buchanan and ridden by Paul King, added a long head win to its previous Newcastle win,  in the Australian Hotel Country Class 1 Plate over 1600m.       

Coffs Harbour trainer Jim Jarvis and jockey Stephen Traecey combined for a half-head win by five-year-old gelding Cannizzaro ($7.50) in the Australian Hotel Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1000m.

Racing returns to Bushland Drive Racecourse, Taree, for a “Showcase TAB meeting”, with $240,000 prizemoney on offer, for Taree Wingham Race Club on Thursday, June 15.