Port Macquarie tips: Trainer Karen Owen and her jockey daughter Madeline are out to start the day with some Fun

Trainer Karen Owen was thrilled with the gallant second of Get Some Fun on debut and feels the filly has improved to go one better this time.

Mother and daughter combination of trainer Karen Owen (right) jockey Madeline Owen can start the day on a winning note at Port Macquarie. Picture: Getty Images

From day one, trainer Karen Owen seen good ability in her filly Get Some Fun but she has just had to patient getting her to the races.

The day finally arrived at Tuncurry two weeks ago when Get Some Fun debuted with a tough length and a quarter second behind Maggie Sparkles after racing three-wide on the speed.

She it the front on straightening but just couldn’t hold out the swooper.

“From day one she has shown us she has a bit of ability. We are keeping our fingers crossed but we are a bit excited by her,” said Owen.

“She has always galloped well; it has just taken us a few preparations to get her to the races. She has just had a few hiccups along the way.

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!

SOUND AND VISION wins the Taree Cup!

A $51 upset in the @ManningClub feature, with mother and daughter pair Karen and Madeline Owen combining to take the Big Dance 💃 eligible race over Rogue Bear with Aramayo in third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/E9oex97TgZ

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) November 19, 2023

“They weren’t anything series, just things like a snotty nose or a hoof abscess just before she was ready to go to a trial.

“We have just had to be patient and wait a while to get her to the races. “She went super. I was very pleased with her.

“She just had to do that bit of work early but still really got to the line well.”

The three-year-old daughter of Wandjina contests the opening even, the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1000m) where she has drawn nicely in barrier 3 with Owen’s daughter, Madeline, to ride.

“She is a little bit of a nervy horse so it hasn’t done any harm taking that extra time to get her to the races,” she said.

“She was very good at Tuncurry the other day. She was well behaved and didn’t get frazzled in the barriers.

“She has taken confidence out of the run and she has improved from it as well. Her work has been really good.

“I think she is a good chance to go one better.”

Owen was very happy with first-up run of her stayer Sound And Vision in the Sawtell Cup and gives him a good chance in the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1500m).

Seething Chuck gives the mother-daughter combination of Karen and Madeline Owen another win together! pic.twitter.com/8SeEMg56BE

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 27, 2023

The gelding settled back in the field but worked home nicely at the end of the 1300m to finish fourth behind Coffs Harbour specialist Boncassie.

“I was pleased with his return. It was short of his best distance so stepping up to the 1500m will suit him and the wet track will suit as well,” Owen said.

“He is very well and in good order. I expect him to run another good race.

“He is on target to go to the Little Dance. Even though he is qualified for the Big Dance, his benchmark won’t be high enough to get him into that.

“If it happened to be wet on the day, it certainly wouldn’t hurt.”

The eight-year-old is a 71 rater and will carry 60.5kg after the claim of Leanne Boyd.

“Leanne knows him well because she rides a bit of work for me sometimes and she rode him in his recent trial.

“If he gets even luck, he should go close.”

Owen’s other runner is Seething Chuck in the Port Macquarie Cup Prelude (1800m).

He is racing well and was less than two lengths behind Fun Sunday over 2260m at Canterbury two starts back before a fourth to Cenotes over 1900m at Kempsey on September 19.

“He is a little bit out graded here but it is hard to find suitable staying races,” she said.

“He is going as well as he has ever gone. He is working really and is thriving at the moment.

“From the good gate, he should get a good run.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 4 No. 11: Highly Tempted

The gelding was a big winner on the heavy at Taree two starts back before a third at Newcastle behind a very smart filly.

NEXT BEST

Race 1 No. 11: Get Some Fun

Gutsy effort when second on debut after a wide run. Set to go one better here.

VALUE BET

Race 3 No. 5: Dempsey Rae

Resumed last time with a handy third at Coffs Harbour before winning there second-up on a Heavy 10. Can give this a shake.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 1: 11, 12

QUADDIE

Race 4: 3, 6, 11

Race 5: 1, 2, 3

Race 6: 1, 2, 5

Race 7: 2, 3, 4, 7

Aaron Bullock looks set for a good day at Port Macquarie. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Aaron Bullock can end his first week back riding from injury with a couple of winners.

INSIDE MAIL – PORT MACQUARIE

RACE 1

Get Some Fun was very good on debut when three-wide on the speed before finishing runner-up to the swooping Maggie Sparkles. Drawn ideally and can go one better this time. Kermitisapet came from back in the field to finish third in that same race at her debut. Will be better for the run. Billybago is better than his last two starts hen back and wide at Kempsey and hanging out at Coffs Harbour. Consider on his two placings on soft ground the start prior.

Bet: Get Some Fun to win

RACE 2

Suay Mam’selle sat behind the leader and boxed on well for third behind Noises at Hawkesbury two starts ago. Got back and held up on the bend before making a little ground when sixth to Torie’s Rose at the same track. Has trialled well on the heavy. Hongkong Harmony has also been racing in provincial company. Was a close second to Quintillion over 1500m on a Heavy 8 at Hawkesbury in May before a break. Back up to his right trip now after three runs back. Lonhreel has place claims.

Bet: Suay Mam’selle to win

RACE 3

Dempsey Rae was spelled after his fifth to Miss Cartel after racing fiercely at Taree on June 25. Prior to that was a handy third at Coffs Harbour first-up before a nice win there second-up, both on heavy tracks. More Szyslak kicks off his campaign without an official trial. Was a handy second to the handy Don’t Call Me Honey when resuming last preparation before winning at Tamworth second-up. Our Lioness and Deephar are worth including in the exotics.

Bet: Dempsey Rae to win

RACE 4

Highly Tempted resumed with a sixth to Art’s Alive at Coffs Harbour

in what has been a strong form race before sitting on speed and scoring a near four length win from Atoka on a Heavy 10 at Taree. Slow and settled back when third to the highly talented Snow In May at Newcastle last start. His stablemate Toy Story was runner-up in that Newcastle race before a third to My Mate Cobber at Coffs Harbour. Sixfootone hasn’t been far away in his four runs this campaign including a third to French Marine on a heavy track at Newcastle.

Bet: Highly Tempted to win

It's the favourite Highly Tempted making it look easy in Race 3 at Taree! pic.twitter.com/HBhE7myqqw

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 16, 2024

RACE 5

Awaygoesthebunny did it tough out three-wide when resuming in a Highway Rosehill behind Intervarsity before heading to Mudgee where he was well backed and duly won second-up. Came from near last with a strong run to beat an unlucky Agirlsbestfriend in a Rosehill Highway on Sept 14. Agirlsbestfriend was held up for a run and got out late before closing strongly to finish a half-length second in that Highway last start. She has run well on heavy ground including her second to Auzstar in the MNC Country Championship Qualifier at Tuncurry. Sound And Vision was good in the Sawtell Cup first-up and the step up in trip suits.

Bet: Awaygoesthebunny to win

RACE 6

Fioprospero is a very consistent performer, finishing in the top five in all bar one start and that was on debut at Warwick Farm over 1200m as a two-year-old. Handy win at Newcastle three starts back. Raced third on the fence and beaten a half-length when fifth to Fun Sunday at Newcastle last start. Prime Impact has had a long campaign but still racing consistently. Sat on the heels of the freewheeling leader before being run down last by Cenotes at Kempsey last start. Our Bambino has been very good in both runs for his new stable.

Bet: Fiopropsero to win

RACE 7

De Poet led and gave a good kick in the straight to beat Lady Shenanigans and Buck Pharoah on a Heavy 10 at Taree second-up. Then went to Rosehill where he led before finishing a five-and-half length ninth behind Briasa and Blanc De Blanc. Back to his right grade and gets in well with the 3kg claim. Buck Pharoah followed a Kempsey win with his third to De Poet before a half-length second to Telegraph at Taree. Has three wins and third from four runs on the heavy. His main obstacle is the big starts he gives away. Hauraki Golf and Bourbon Flyer won’t be far away.

Bet: De Poet each-way