Jane Clement prepared for Saturday’s Quirindi Jockey Club meeting with a third in the $50,000 Robert Oatley Vineyards Mudgee Cup Showcase (1600m) on Friday.
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Clement’s Exemption was a two length third to the Bjorn Baker-trained Burning Energy, edging out Are you Sure (Cameron Crockett) in a photo after enjoying a good run along the fence down the Mudgee straight.
She also started Brienz Bella in the Craigmoor Showcase Class 3 Handicap (1200m), with the mare finishing in fifth.
Racheal Murray rode both for Clement and will jump on Medal of Glory in the Peel Valley Group Benchmark 50 Handicap (1450m) at Quirindi.
“He’s as honest as they come,” Clement said of the nine-year old bay gelding.
“Everyone loves him.”
He is coming off a last start second at Armidale on November 19. It was his third place in his last five starts.
“He’s trained well since then,” she said.
“He’ll run a nice race. He won’t be that far off them.”
Private Valentine will start in the Peel Valley Quirindi Maiden Plate (1000m) and will be having her third start back from an almost year spell.
“She’s been doing a few little things wrong,” Clement said.
“Hopefully I’ve ironed those out.
“She’s had a change of gear and I’ve put blinkers on.”
The Maiden will be the second of five races, with racing getting underway at 2pm.
Prize money for Port Macquarie Race Club’s Queen of the North meanwhile has been increased by 40 per cent in 2017.
$70,000 will be on offer in the 1200m benchmark 75 race for fillies and mares, up from $50,000 last year.
$15,000 of that will come from Racing NSW and Port Macquarie Race Club will add an extra $5,000.
Arrowfield Stud has returned as naming rights sponsor for the race which will be run on Port Macquarie’s newly renovated track on Friday February 3.
It will be the 12th running of the Queen of the North which has developed into a major stepping stone for up and coming fillies and mares.
Port Macquarie Race Club’s President Gregory Delaforce said the club was thrilled Arrowfield had agreed to continue its sponsorship.
“It is appropriate one of Australia’s leading studs has recognised the importance of this race which is aimed specifically at fillies and mares, the foundation of our breeding system,” Delaforce said.
“We hope they can go on to develop into top class race horses and later still top class broodmares.”