22 second barrier gets tested, but not broken
12 races for another ripping Friday arvo at the Bridge. Yarramundi Hoover was well backed in the first, a 455m maiden. Punters were looking alright early as Yarramundi Hoover found the front and got a margin. Turning for home, Zinfandel Cilla had found herself on the back of the leader and loomed as a big danger, before going past and landing a 1 length win. A worthwhile drive up for Stewy Barber with just Cilla engaged for the day. Race 2 and the Rasmussen team had 4 of the 6 starters for the 395m maiden. Cawbourne Big Al rolled over from 7 to find the lead, with Cawbourne Marto getting behind her. Big Al went a bit wide in the straight which allowed Marto to keep railing and get his chance, but he couldn’t pick up Cawbourne Big Al, who landed the 22.71 victory. The third of the day was a very open grade 6 over the 395m trip with the Mt Gambier visitor, Galactic Medusa, starting favourite. Zipping Chrome wound back the clock and found the front. He copped a check turning for home, but was too experienced and picked himself up before going all the way in a comprehensive manner. Race 4 was a strong race over the 395m, with the market suggesting a match race between She Has Zip and the rising Abernathy. She Has Zip used the red perfectly to lead the field, with Abernathy challenging intently on her outside. It was a real tussle the entire race but She Has Zip was just a bit too good, leading all the way in 22.34.
Race 5 and Two Jabs looked an absolute certainty from box 1, with the market reflecting as much. The race played out as expected, with Two Jabs demolishing the field and running a flying 22.12. No doubt he will be the favourite in the grade 6 final next week. Speaking of finals, race 6 was the 455m grade 6 final and Cosmic Kid started an even money favourite from the red. It was a new race when the rank outsider in Son Of Haka was able to lead easily, and from that point he never looked like getting beat, running a really tidy 25.55. A deserved win for Bob Fletcher who is doing a nice job with his team at the moment. Race 7 and Victa Maggie started a well supported favourite from box 1 over the 455m journey. Didelis was able to get over from box 7 and whilst on paper he should have been slowing down towards the end, he never did and was just far too good for the others. A terrific training effort from Tony Nobes, with Didelis scoring two comprehensive wins since returning from a lengthy break. Race 8 was the strongest race of the day and Charlie Brother started favourite from box 1. The race totally changed complexion when Wreck It Garros left the boxes like a deadset torpedo, clocking a mouthwatering 7.93 first split. He was off and gone by 6 lengths around the bend and the race looked shot to bits. Approaching the line, Garros got the wobbles and Charlie Brother launched, but Garros held on in a ripping display of acceleration. The 25.44 time was BOD.
Photo: Wreck It Garros holds on from the fast finishing Charlie Brother
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography
Race 9 was a tricky race over the 395m. Kelly’s Missile, who was an equal favourite, put the race away in a matter of strides. He scorched out and went all the way in a rocketing 5.02-22.09. Just the three runs so far this prep, but all have been very good, so it would be worthwhile following him. Race 10 was a cracking open grade, with Aston Hayato starting short in the market. Hayato led as expected but something wasn’t quite right as he veered off in the straight, which allowed Blue Tick Fern to rail through and score the victory in 22.16. Another good race for the 11th of the day. It was an even market with no clear favourite. Undercut was able to use the vacant boxes outside him to find the front, and from there he was never getting run down as he clocked in a 22.15 effort. The last on the day saw a fair old market swing, with Burn The Box getting smashed late and starting a dominant favourite. The one that drifted was Bodhi’s Bro Kai. Fair to say the punters got it wrong as Bodhi was able to muster excellently before landing a neat 22.55 win.
Dog to follow: Abernathy - Just a really likeable dog, form was great at Gawler and went to Murray Bridge for his first look on Friday. Jumped well and had to keep working early to hold his spot before getting taken wide on the bend. Straightened up but just couldn’t get to She Has Zip who is quite handy. Suspect he comes back next Friday and with improvement on that look, he should go very close.