Port Macquarie betting preview, best bets & quaddie picks | 29/5/23
| What | Port Macquarie Races |
| Where | Port Macquarie Race Club – 283 Oxley Highway Port Macquarie, NSW, 2444 |
| When | Monday, May 29, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:05pm AEST |
Racing heads to Port Macquarie on Monday afternoon for a competitive eight-race program. It’s bound to be a tricky card to dissect with a whopping 127 acceptances across the meeting. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit and with perfect weather predicted across the weekend, we’re confident punters will be betting on a Good 4 surface come race-day. The first race is set to get underway at 12:05pm AEST.
Best Bet at Port Macquarie: Better Not Bitter
We’ll look to get things underway with our best bet on Monday afternoon, as Better Not Bitter will be tough to beat in the Port Macquarie opener. This son of Starspangledbanner is searching for back-to-back wins and his third of the campaign, and based on his latest effort on May 16, we’re happy to be sticking with this progressive Kris Lees-trained gelding. His win came over the 1800m last time out and needed every bit of the ground to chase home Charmed Destiny but did so with vigor, suggesting the 2000m on Monday should be ideal. He maps to sit leaders-back the entire journey and if Aaron Bullock can get the breaks when asking for an effort from Better Not Bitter, we’d be shocked if he didn’t let down to score.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#1 Better Not Bitter (2)
4yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Aaron Bullock (60kg)
Next Best at Port Macquarie: Justiciar
The third race on the program is over the 1000m in maiden company and we’re keen to be with the first starter, Justiciar. He comes here on two barrier trials that caught the eye and seems to be travelling nicely heading into his first-up assignment. This gelding by Ardrossan will put himself into the race early based on his jump-outs, and we expect Andrew Gibbons to send Justiciar forward from the middle draw. If he can ping the lids and get across to lead easy enough, we’re confident Justiciar can hold off all challengers when turning the corner and find the line best.
Next Best
Race 3 – 
#14 Justiciar (8)
2yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Andrew Gibbons (56.5kg)
Best Value at Port Macquarie: Jet Pack
Best Value: Race 7 #15 Jet Pack (9) @$10 | T: Cameron Crockett | J: Ashley Morgan (55.5kg)
We’ll be hoping for a scratching in the penultimate event at Port Macquarie so our best each-way play of the afternoon can get a chance to step out. Jet Pack is worth forgiving on his first-up performance after stepping into Open company behind Le Melody at Muswellbrook on April 28. The form guide will suggest it was a genuine Good surface; however, the course was chopped up and raced more toward the Soft range on that occasion, which he doesn’t appreciate. Getting back on top of the ground and at his more favoured circuit looks an ideal set-up for this son of Fastnet Rock and we’re expecting a bold showing. Ashley Morgan takes the reins and with a fifty-percent strike rate on Jet Pack, and an undefeated record at this course and distance, the double-figure odds with online bookmakers is too good to pass up.
Next Best
Race 7 – 
#15 Jet Pack (9)
4yo Gelding | T: Cameron Crockett | J: Ashley Morgan (55.5kg)
Monday quaddie tips for Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie quadrella selections
Monday, May 29, 2023
- 2-3-4-11
- 1-2-5-15
- 5-9-10-15
- 1-2-3
Investment: $192 for 100%