Enthusiastic too quick in Country Cup heat
Wednesday
On a wet Wednesday at Gawler, it was good to see Greg Board have a successful day, picking up a double. Spring Martini had shown promise in her first few starts, but arrived at Gawler for her first run in 4 months. She started favourite from box seven, receiving a bit of support which suggested she was near her best. She left the boxes well and was able to sit outside the dog on the rail, before powering away late for a terrific return win, clocking 22.99. The impressive Spring Honour made it two, winning with a bit of ease in the grade 6 final. He looked a good thing from box one off some SA Derby form, but he still had to do it, and that he did. He jumped well and was able to find himself with an early lead, putting the race away quite quickly and winning in 22.80. A good day for Greg and he certainly has some nice youngsters at the moment!
Spy Master continued his brilliant year with another victory from his preferred box eight. It was a dominant performance from the almost five year old at start 102. When the boxes opened he flew out and led easily in 8.65, which is going to lead the vast majority of races at Gawler! He was unchallenged the entire race, winning by four lengths in a very slick 22.79. That was win 16 for Spy Master, in what has been a terrific career and he certainly doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
My Mum’s Value was a very sharp 22.77 (BOD) winner in the last. She seems to have returned particularly well this preparation as Wednesday was just her fourth up run. After drawing the red in the small field, she looked to have a good chance and a very slick beginning made it quite an easy watch for her trainer Rob Barclay. After leading in a fast 8.66, she was able to fend off a mid race challenge, before running away from her rivals late, landing an easy 3 length victory. I look forward to seeing her back over the ‘500’ shortly, because she is going very well.
Friday
We saw the running of the Gawler Country Cup heat on Sunday and the field it brought together was quite strong. With just the one heat, the first and second place getters were to earn their way through to the series final at Angle Park on Adelaide Cup night. Spring Mayfield started favourite in the open race, from a favourable box one draw. When the boxes opened it was the high quality Enthusiastic that mustered his way to the front before the first turn. Charlie Brother landed in second down the back and appeared some sort of danger. Approaching the home turn, Enthusiastic was going far too well and looked home. He got a bit tired late with On The Tequila storming into second, but Enthusiastic was too good, winning in 30.86 and booking his spot on Adelaide Cup night. His trainer, Nicole Price also had another winner on the program with Blue Bouquet getting the job over the 531m trip. She was excellent, doing everything right. She jumped well to find the lead, before holding onto the front midrace and running away late, displaying her strength too. Well done to Nicole and goodluck to both Enthusiastic and On The Tequila in the Country Cup!
Vadim Roz has got plenty of young pups racing at the moment and they are all improving types. One dog that has taken my eye is Machismo, who is continuing to get better with every start. On breeding you would expect that he is going to be a 600m+ dog and on Friday he showed that. He was coming out of box four in a grade 6 over the 531m trip, and left fairly. He rode a bump on the first turn and was able to slot in second behind Spring Monica as they hit the back. Halfway up the back, Machiso took over with his huge strides, and quickly put a margin on the others. He then showed his strength with a solid run home time, to win by four lengths in 31.25.
One of the most impressive performances for the day came in the last race from Chicks Love Me. The fawn dog has been exceptional since joining the care of Rosa Panagiotou and on Friday he produced a career best performance. Coming out of box four, he couldn’t have been more impressive. He worked hard to get to the lead, going 8.64 early, before booming away as they hit the turn. He looked good when he hit the line, winning by 2 lengths in a BOD 22.69. Well done to Rosa who's doing a terrific job with him!