3 months ago
23
By Neil Evans
August 31, 2025 — 5.00pm
A popular and talented local galloper will literally be out to spring back into action when he returns at Monday’s home Port Macquarie meeting 44 days after a horror fall at Rosehill.
Pony Soprano, a lightly raced four-year-old in the Robert Agnew stable, hasn’t raced since tumbling first-up in a Class 2 Highway over 1100m at Rosehill in mid-July.
Anna Roper wins on Sunshine Law at Rosehill on Saturday,.Credit: Getty Images
That day Pony Soprano came to grief around the 800m when a runner shifting out from inside caused him to fall.
Jockey Anna Roper was stood down for the remainder of the day, while the gelding was found to have suffered abrasions, swelling and multiple lacerations.
Naturally, Pony Soprano was spelled, but via a veterinary clearance, he subsequently recovered well and signalled a return by winning a barrier trial in mid-August by more than four lengths.
And with some more work under his belt, Pony Soprano came up a hot $1.70 favourite to bounce back first-up in a Class 3 Handicap over 1200m to welcome in spring racing.
Fittingly, Roper also recovered swiftly from that fall, with two of her last three winners coming in metropolitan company, including Saturday’s upset win in a BM 78 for the fillies and mares aboard long-priced Sunshine Law.
Before the Rosehill fall, Pony Soprano had won two from five after debuting late last year, and quickly progressed to a Country Championship Qualifier where he finished midfield.
Yet while the market suggests Pony Soprano has a big class edge on this field, two runners at much longer prices are eyeing off an upset.
Nyali Sands, a tough and under-rated mare by Group 1 winner Casino Prince, came up around $11 in early betting, is well placed to perform three weeks after running into a place in a BM 66 at Muswellbrook.
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So too is five-year-old Orsum, an honest gelding from the local Cassandra Schmidt stable, which is tracking to peak fourth-up and was around $8.50 in early markets.
The track was rated a soft 5 through Sunday, but likely to start on a good 4 with sunny weather in the lead-up.
Supplied by Racing NSW
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