Camp Rifle, Group Think renew acquaintances in Port Macquarie handicap

Camp Rifle and Group Think dominated the betting when they were first and second by a neck in a one-mile handicap at Coffs Harbour Racecourse in Australia on Feb. 13.

The familiar rivals meet again on Thursday in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Port Macquarie Racecourse, and this time have a formidable foe in War Cat.

Those are three of the 12 runners in the fifth of eight races at Port Macquarie on a program that begins at 9:15 p.m. Eastern or 6:15 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Camp Rifle, a 4-year-old gelding, won for the third time in his 19th start at Coffs Harbour, ending a 15-race losing streak since Sept. 2019. In a span of three races in December and January, Camp Rifle was second in each start in sprints at distances ranging from six to about seven furlongs. At Coffs Harbour, Camp Rifle closed from fourth in a field of seven.

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Group Think was closer to the pace at Coffs Harbour than in past races and led in the stretch before losing the advantage in the final strides. Group Think finished 2 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Borlotti.

Jockey Ben Looker rode Group Think at Coffs Harbour and retains the mount at Port Macquarie. Group Think has won 2 of 17 starts, but is winless in eight starts since a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Ballina Racecourse last June.

War Cat has won 3 of 14 starts and had a productive February, finishing third in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Newcastle on Feb. 1 before winning a handicap at 7 1/4 furlongs at Muswellbrook on Feb. 15 by a nose as the even-money favorite.

War Cat has never won beyond six furlongs in a 14-race career that includes three wins. He is capable of setting the pace. Jockey Samantha Clenton has the mount for the first time since April and may need to conserve some of the 4-year-old gelding’s energy to hold off the likes of Camp Rifle.