Tuesday, 9 February 2010: Progressive galloper Mr Armstrong can continue his winning form, in today's XXXX Gold Handicap (race 5) at Port Macquarie.

The lightly-raced four-year-old has had only six starts but has already racked up a couple of wins and he can add another in today's 1250m Benchmark 70 in what is likely to be soft ground.

The gelding made his debut as a three-year-old with Jamie Neilson in Queensland where he jumped straight to the lead and ran away with a four length win.

He was then thrown into the deep end in the Group 2 Champagne Classic over 1200m at Doomben and after sitting on the speed initially he dropped right out in the straight, finishing last behind Court and pulling up shin-sore.

Mr Armstrong  went for a year long spell before resuming under his current trainer, Port Macquarie's Wayne Wilkes.

That was here over 1000m in Class 2 company where he had a big weight and settled well back before charging home into second, finishing just over a length from Punxsutawny Phil.

He then returned to the city and tackled an 1100m race at Rosehill, where he again went back and was there throughout before making steady ground to finish sixth, beaten three lengths, behind Altier.

After another spell he returned as a four-year-old over 1000m at Taree, where he carried a big weight on soft ground in a Benchmark 50.

Settling midfield in the run on the inside he was held up for a run there before running on well to finish fourth behind Tristamberelle.

That was his first and only try on soft ground and although missing the placings he seemed to handle the ground without any problem.

Last start, over 1250m here in a Benchmark 65, he was back on top of the ground and after settling midfield hooked to the outside before running on strongly for a 1.3 length win over Belford Bay.

Today he rises in grade but won't find this field much tougher and carries the minimum again.

He has drawn okay in barrier four and can only be fitter for his two runs from a spell.

A last start winner at the track and distance he has more upside than most of these and looks hard to hold out I the small field again.

The locally trained Impulsive Act  is back from a let-up and with a solid record on the track and distance should be hard to hold out.

The Michael Beyers-trained mare was runner-up this track and distance in this class five back, then was fifth over 1200m at Newcastle before finishing third in the Wingham Cup over 1400m here.

She then stepped up to 1500m at Port Macquarie and overcame a wide gate to score an impressive three-quarter length win, before stepping out over a mile here last time on slow ground.

She settled back in the small field and pulled wide in the straight but only battled home for fourth behind Chaperon Bay.

She meets the same grade here but is back in trip as she returns from a break.

She can run well fresh and on her home track looks one of the leading hopes.

Cruzado  will find this class much easier but carries the big weight today.

The veteran has a good track and distance record and is well performed on soft ground, so if he can carry the 61kg can break through at his third run from a spell.

Afforestation  is ready to win after three runs from a spell but a soft track would be a concern.

Great Stookan  is a fairly honest and lightly-raced gelding and with a solid fresh record can feature on anything like his best.