Port Macquarie preview: Trainer Mark Mivervini and jockey Luke Rolls can continue their hot form with three leading chances

Trainer Mark Minervini has finally been able to repay jockey Luke Rolls for his assistance 20 years ago with three recent winners and they can add to their tally at Port Macquarie.

Trainer Mark Minervini (pictured) and jockey Luke Rolls can dominate the Port Macquarie meeting. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images for ATC

The newest dynamic duo on the Mid-North Coast, trainer Mark Minervini and jockey Luke Rolls, combine again aiming to bolster their 33.3 per cent winning strike-rate.

Rolls’ last three rides for Minervini have all won and two of them - Bonjour Madame and Bold Design - are Port Macquarie bound.

Although their hot streak is a fairly recent phenomenon, Rolls and Minervini’s personal and professional relationship stretches back considerably earlier.

“It sort of happened by chance,” Minervini explained.

“I met Luke 15 or 20 years ago on the Gold Coast when I took Vormista up to Queensland and he was working for Helen Page as an apprentice. He rode a bit of work for me and I haven’t really been able to repay him until just recently so it has worked out well.”

NEW WINNER for #Kobayashi! 💥

Kobaytera found the clear down the straight and raced away, winning well in her first career win! 🐎💨 #KingKoby#AquisStallionspic.twitter.com/aTHkNANB0w

— Aquis Stallions (@AquisFarm) March 29, 2025

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

Vormista, a daughter of Testa Rossa, won four races for the then Morphettville master Minervini including a Group 2 on Turnbull Stakes Day in 2007.

Rolls’ trio of rides for Minervini this week start with Tawfiq Tom in the Port City Maiden Handicap (1500m).

Tawfiq Tom is a half-brother to his well credentialed stablemate Quick Tempo whose seven career wins have come between 900m and 1100m.

“Tawfiq Tom is by Tosen Stardom so he is a lot more dour than what Quick Tempo is,” Minervini said.

“Hopefully he will continue to improve and even get up to a mile and 2000m, that wouldn’t be beyond it.

“I thought he ran well first-up on the Heavy track. They were just a bit sharp for him at 1200m but up to 1500m and with a good draw and Luke Rolls, I think he looks well placed.”

Rolls has been there every step of the way when it comes to Bonjour Madame, steering her to a debut third at Taree in February ahead of her emphatic all-the-way win at the same venue on March 17.

“Luke was quite taken with her and very keen to retain the ride so that is always a good indication that they have some degree of ability,” Minervini said.

Bold Design salutes in the third at Taree on debut! 👌@minerviniracingpic.twitter.com/qHeIwJ2shr

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 25, 2025

“She has drawn the widest gate but at this stage she will definitely run.

“We’ll keep our fingers crossed for scratchings, I see there are a few of them that have nominated for Scone on Monday in an 1100m Class 1.”

While it is never easy for a horse to win a Class 1 immediately after winning a maiden, Minervini’s bay gelding Bold Design has been faultless in his execution.

Born and raised at Widden, the son of Calyx led from pillar to post when stepping out for his debut in a 1007m Maiden at Taree 17 days ago.

“Once again, Luke summed it up pretty quickly and led and the horse showed a fair bit of heart,” Minervini said.

“I’m not sure how that speed map looks on Friday but he doesn’t necessarily have to lead either but I would say going off his first run, he’ll be up in the first few anyway and be hard to hold out.

“He’s thrived since that first run. He’s put on weight and done everything right.”

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

One of the sport’s most in-form trainers heads out west with one of the sport’s most in-form mares with an Orange Gold Cup and Big Dance eligibility in their sights.

The trainer is Luke Pepper whose last 50 runners have heralded 18 winners and nine placegetters.

The horse is Helluva Soiree who has won three of her last four starts and ‘was so unlucky’ in Pepper’s words, when fourth in the Canberra Cup Preview.

“She is just a mare in form,” Pepper said.

“She hasn’t put a foot wrong since joining our stable.

“We weren’t expecting her to be running in Open Handicap Cups at the end of this preparation so whatever she does is all a bonus now.

“There is one thing about this mare is that she can stay a bit, so the trip is not an issue and it might be a good opportunity to have a crack at a Big Dance qualifier.”

Helluva Soiree powers home to win Race 2 at Wagga! pic.twitter.com/f1pYBoQ3DF

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 13, 2025

Helluva Soiree will have a couple of stablemates for company on the float from Canberra to Orange, namely Cyclone Rupert and Pleasurize, who both race in the Darby silks.

Cyclone Rupert will make his Pepper stable debut in the Sabin Subedi Cup Day Showcase Sprint over 1000m.

“I think he is probably a horse that is better over 1200m but it is a good place to kick him off,” Pepper said.

“I’ve been very happy with him, He’s fit, healthy and well and his fresh record is okay so I think he can run a race for us.”

Pleasurize, meanwhile, is out to stretch her unbeaten sequence to three when she tackles the Kennards Hire Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m).

“She’s been a little ripper to tell you the truth,” Pepper praised.

“She has definitely got that will to win.

“She is still doing a little bit wrong. She can step a bit slow out the gates but once she gets into gear, she’s quite quick.

“It has been good to see her being able to adapt, being able to sit off one and finish off like she did the other day.

“She seems not to be a one-trick pony I guess you could say.”