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By John Schell

Jockey Andrew Gibbons is aiming to strike early at Port Macquarie on Sunday when he links with top Newcastle trainer Kris Lees with a couple of key contenders.

Gibbons and Lees combine with Namara when it contests the Wauchope Dragon Flys 3YO Maiden Handicap (1208m). They also forces when Viva La Juicy lines up in the Coffee On High Showcase Super Maiden Handicap (1512m).

Jockey Andrew Gibbons (Pic: Bradley Photos).

“Namara is a lightly raced, talented filly,” said Gibbons.

“She finished third in each of her first three race starts. Then she came out and resumed at Hawkesbury last month with a fourth.

"She might find this race on Sunday a shade easier, and she’s drawn to get a good run.”

Gibbons said Viva La Juicy has the task ahead from an outside barrier, but he’s also confident the daughter of Astern can run well.

“It’s not going to be easy from where she’s drawn,” he said.

“But she’s heading in the right direction. She showed improvement at her second start when she ran fifth at Quirindi and the winner of that race has come out and scored again.”

The Terry Evans trained Robarge will run in the HLW Projects Country Boosted Showcase Benchmark 58 Handicap (1208m) with Gibbons in the saddle.

“She wasn’t beaten too far when I rode her at Taree the other day,” Gibbons said.

“She bobs up every now and again and it wouldn’t surprise to see her figure in the finish.”

Gibbons will team up with trainer Paul Kelly for two rides in the shape of Maggie Sparkle in the Wauchope Blues Showcase Class 1 Handicap (1208m) and Kayz Time in the M&S Print Wauchope Sprint (1008m).

He will also partner the John Bannister trained Touch Of Navy in the Wauchope RSL Club Wauchope Cup (1512m).

“Touch Of Navy is coming off a last start run in the Gunnedah Cup in which he was beaten a little over five lengths,” said Gibbons.

“His run in a Midway at Scone the start before that wasn’t too bad and he has a handy record. He looks like he’s a good chance.”

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Port Macquarie meeting