Port Augusta, yellow cap with blue star, comes to catch Mint Man© Photo Healy Racing
For a long way it looked like 50/1 Mint Man was going to spring a shock in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race over six furlongs, however, Port Augusta collared him in the closing stages.
Mint Man made most and, despite being keen early, was still boxing on in the closing stages, but he couldn't fend off Port Augusta who put in good late work for Gary Carroll to get up a neck at a well-supported 7/2. Fair Taxes (17/2) was another three and a-quarter lengths away in third at 17/2.
Trainer Willie Browne said of the Zoustar newcomer: "It took him a little while, he was a bit green. We are not really surprised, he was training good.
"He was a horse that was meant to be a breeze-up horse, but he put up a splint and we had to regroup.
"We think he is nice - we didn't think we would beat the favourite (Emerald Banner), but we knew we would be competitive.
"There is (a winners' race coming up) but six furlongs was too short for him so, wherever we go, he will want to be going further.
"He has just a bit of class that got him through.
"He's for sale."
The winner scored in the colours of the trainer's partner, Tracey Kearney.
