11 different trainers score a victory
A cool and windy day greeted us for the last Friday meeting at Murray Bridge for a while.
The first race was a maiden and we saw a heavily supported first starter for the Lauren Harris team in the name of Barcia Khan. Firing out of the boxes was Spring Candice which was well supported last week in her debut as well. Candice and Way Out went toe to toe early, but as they approached the turn, Candice got the better of Way Out. Candice led around the turn before Victa Daryl got on her outside and made his move. Victa Daryl was able to take a narrow and eventual race winning lead, getting up by half a length. Daryl provided his handler Ron Schadow a terrific thrill. Race 2 was another maiden over the 395m and Sullie’s Girl in her 25th start came out running to lead the field. Emmy Driven quickly got up underneath her and looked home around the turn. Unfortunately for her and favourite backers she had a concentration lapse which opened the door for Pearcedale Flyer to get through and snatch a win on debut, albeit in a mild 23.26 run. Race 3 was a match race in the market and the race played out accordingly. Fleurieu Flyer (second fave) and Agronomous (favourite) cleared the field early and were in a terrific battle to the turn. Agronomous used the red box perfectly and was able to hold the rail which turned out to be the race winning move as he scored a neat 1.5 length victory in 22.56. The fourth race was another match race on paper, with the favourite Incognito first up off a little spell. Incognito led in a good 5.07 first split and the race looked over given his ability to win over 500m, however the second favourite Foresaken showed a dazzling turn of foot mid-race, to get underneath Incognito and power away for a dominant victory in 22.38.
Race 5 was another even grade 6 over the 395m trip and the box draw again had a big effect on the race. The field jumped very evenly, however Hope’s Tribute was able to utilise the red box perfectly and power through to lead by 4 lengths around the turn. Hope’s Tribute looked home however Straight Blaze hit the turbo boost as they came into the straight and powered on past the leader, in the end winning by a comfortable 1.75 length margin. Race 6 was the most anticipated race all week in South Australia, Danyo’s Wylie vs Slick Riot over 395m, arguably the two fastest short courses going around at the moment. The money came for Danyo’s Wylie big time and at no point did punters have any concern about the winner, as Wylie scorched out in a 4.92 early split. Slick Riot was able to get behind him, however was never going to run Wylie down, with the final margin being a comfortable 2 lengths. The time of 22.18 was probably a little disappointing however it had become very windy by this stage of the day. Race 7 was a dart throw over the 395m trip for the grade 5s. The race was over pretty quickly however as Jacobite Magic got over from the 8 box after going a very neat 5.01 early. Victa Caleb got behind him pretty quickly but was unable to get past and Jacobite Magic posted a nice 22.50 gallop. Race 8 was a full field over the 455m trip for the grade 6s and it looked pretty strong on paper. The favourite was Cawbourne Hope after 2 dominant victories to start her career. An even line eventuated when the boxes opened however the very talented Ransom’s Pride took over down the back and put 5 lengths on the field. As he straightened it was evident that Safe Drop was making rapid ground. The margin kept shortening as they approached the line, before Safe Drop got the better of Ransom’s Pride to land a strong 25.77 victory, with the wind having a significant effect on the race time.
Race 9 was a rare 530m grade 6 and we saw the shortest priced favourite in Australia go round in Zipping Whoopi. After starting $1.15, it was a straightforward exercise as she found the front. Zipping Whoopi ended up landing an 8 length win in a respectable 30.06 gallop. Race 10 was a strong grade 5 over the 455m. Bad Lieutenant was the best to leave the boxes and was able to lead by half a length, however Jabari got underneath of him and caused some bumping. This then left the door open for Weblec King to rail under and score a super gritty win in 26.06, capping off a marvellous return to racing for the former star chaser. Only 4 dogs went around for the 11th of the day and All Show started a hot favourite, coming off a run in the Gawler Eastar series. The race was over very shortly after the boxes opened and All Show was able to lead and walk-in for a very easy 5 length victory. The time of 25.84 was indicative of the windy conditions. She’s Amigo carried the hopes of punters in the last of the day, as the well supported bitch looked to continue her run of form. She jumped the best in a very nice 5.05 early split however completely lost the compass turning for home, which opened up the door for Mrs. Missile and Jamie Lannister to fight out the finish. Mrs. Missile was able to pinch a lead and hold off a fast finishing Jamie Lannister to land a 22.68 victory.
Dog to follow: Spring Candice - Tough going this week with nothing really jumping off the page. The money was there for this bitch in her first start to suggest she has a nice future and whilst she was plain first up, her run Friday was very good. Her early split is great for maiden grade and I suspect she will line up again next Thursday. She showed the ability to sit outside of a dog and worry them out of it which was a good sign for her. If she can draw a field with Barcia Khan or one of the other maidens who ran well Friday, she should hopefully be backable odds next time she goes around.
We now move to our new racing schedule which will see racing at Murray Bridge look like this
Monday Night (1 turn)
Wednesday (Straight track) - Starting next week
Thursday (1 turn)
Monday Preview
10 races tonight for our first ever Monday night meeting at the Bridge. Plenty of locals engaged with a couple of visitors making the trip. A couple of very nice types to do battle, race 2 is a cracking juvenile race, whilst race 4 is an absolute belter of a grade 3/4 over the 395m trip. Race 8 provides plenty of intrigue with a couple of different formlines and race 9 has brought together a very strong SA owned grade 6 over the 455m.
Best Bet - (True Survivor - Race 10, Box #2)
She has had two runs back this preparation, she was mighty impressive over the 395m journey first up, then put in a tame one last run in the city. I think she is going ok, and the 455m trip suits her a lot better. She is also a bitch that grows a leg on one turn tracks. The red should lead out this race and if she can just hold a spot behind her, she should find a run late and get back on the winners list. The danger is obviously the dog in box 4, however True Survivor beat it first up over the 395m and now True Survivor comes up with a better box draw.
Photo: Victa Daryl knocks off his maiden, becoming the 9th member of this litter to get on the winners list
Kurt Donsberg Photography