Another record breaking effort for Radley
Race 1 on a pretty solid provincial 1 card, with a 455m to kick off proceedings. The well bred Miss Jinx (Fernando Bale x Luna Jinx) started as an easing favourite in an open race. Don’t Tell Lies for the Lauren Harris camp was able to lead in a fair 8.15 early before pushing on and putting a gap on the field, to land a really nice 25.70 victory. Race 2 was a clear match race on paper between the in form Stars Aligned and Burn The Box. The rank outsider Milly May led initially but was quickly overtaken by the two favourites. It was a real tussle but Stars Aligned got a half length in front, from which point Burn The Box wanted to shift off the fence, which was ultimately the race defining moment. Stars Aligned went on to win in 25.47, making it four wins from five starts since coming over to the festival state, she is a bitch in form! The highly promising She’s A Hotshot started a warm favourite in the third of the night. She led out in a rocketing 4.95 first split, putting a few lengths on the strong Iranian Girl. It was a close finish but Iranian Girl just went past and landed a fortuitous 22.38 victory. The fourth was one of the most highly anticipated match races in recent times in SA, with Fantastic Radley doing battle against the recent G1 winner, Sir Truculent. Unfortunately we never saw the close contest occur with Truccers injuring his wrist early on, but what we did see was the most spectacular performance that SA has seen this year. Fantastic Radley found the arm and deadset exploded, turning on the turbo boosters and booming away. He scored by 12 lengths in a completely rude 38.35, which clearly set the new time standard. I might look silly down the track but I can see that track record lasting for a few years, the time is just ridiculous! Also worth noting the good training effort from Ozzie, as a general rule the stayers need miles in the legs, Radley went into that run off a 3 week break and certainly appeared at his most vulnerable, but not with Ozzie in charge.
Race 5 was a really nice grade 5 over the 530m, with a couple interesting runners in Terrific Keith and Danyo’s Charlie. In the market it was Charlie that was the hot pot off box 1, attracting significant support all day. Charlie used the box perfectly to lead in 11.81. He kept finding during the race and was able to lead all the way in a terrific 29.76, in front of a fast finishing Vontae Mack. Another good market move in the sixth of the night saw Goose Step start favourite over the 530m. The very strong dog was able to lead easily from box 1 and his backers would have been pretty content with themselves. As they hit the straight, George The First loomed as a huge threat and closer to the line he went past Goose Step, landing a super 29.72 win. Gary’s Miracle was a real shorty in the seventh of the night off the very suitable box 1. The race changed complexion pretty quickly with Sevilla jumping really well from box 5 to lead in an 8.00 split. They never really got into it behind her and Sevilla scootered away, never looking like losing as she clocked a terrific 25.52
A strong grade 5 for the eighth of the night over the 455m and Fantastic Shell just started favourite. Shell actually jumped pretty well, but was outpaced from Victa Buzz and Bailey Rocks as those two girls cleared out. Buzz took over at the top of the turn and really powered on, landing a career PB of 25.36 in a dynamic display of speed and strength. She had plenty of promise early days but now after 27 starts, we are seeing the best of her. A four dogger over the 395m for the ninth and Snakebite Me started a hot favourite. The black dog led early pretty comfortably but sadly dropped his back leg muscle again, which allowed Mazza’s Princess to hit the front and land a solid victory. Hopefully we get to see Snakebite Me back at the track. The last of the night and we saw a ripping all the way victory from Zinfandel Oompa, clocking terrific splits of 4.99-22.21. She’s had her fair share of injury problems but seems to be over them now making it two wins on the trot in emphatic fashion. We will likely see her back next Thursday over the 455m.
Photo: Victa Buzz continues her stellar form as she clocks a career best 25:36.
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Greyhound Photography
Dog to follow: Bailey Rocks - A super honest bitch that is still racing well at four and a half years old! Has had three goes back over the 455m trip and Thursday was certainly her best effort over the journey, jumping well and clocking 25.52 overall. Certainly no disgrace being beaten 2 lengths by the flying Victa Buzz. It is a tricky start to get the hang of so it was very positive to see her pull off a good run over it. She gets one more crack at it this Thursday night if Billy takes her there, before the City graders come back. If she can draw inside then you would expect her to lead and she has definitely strengthened up with the last few runs so she may well be able to hang on.
Best Bet (Monday night) - Fleurieu Flyer (Race 12, Box #1) - Was first up for a month last week and went pretty nice. She led and just tied up late before getting run down. The money was on and whilst they left it in, it tells you she is going alright. Gets her box on Monday, as she is pretty keen for the fence. Burning Nitro is drawn outside and I thought she was only fair last Monday after leading, she will run some cover for Fleurieu. Not much in this race could run down Fleurieu Flyer, so barring a mishap early, she should lead and go mighty close at good odds.