Bidgee Boy makes it 2 in a row since coming to SA
Very blustery conditions greeted us for 10 good races at the bridge last Friday. Lady Luck was a well supported favorite in the first after a cracking win last start here. She jumped ordinary again, but was able to muster through and hold Canya Thunder before storming away and landed a neat 22.36 win. Punters were on the right foot early. Race 2 (A.K.A Harry Trengove stakes) saw young Haz bring the field. His recent addition to the kennel in Parallel led them up. Turning for home the two backmarkers made their move and hit the front. It was a close go and unbelievably it was a dead heat with Crown Sally and Crown Suzie. Probably a worst case scenario for Haz with both dogs now losing their grade 6, but I’m sure he didn’t mind! Race 3 saw a monster go for Bidgee Boy who was second after up after a terrific first up win. $2.50 into $1.50 and he should have started $1.10 with the way he went about it, leading all the way in a 5.00 first split and clocking a 22.23 run. A really nice addition to the Harris kennel and no doubt he will get himself to open grade shortly.
Classy Redeemer was a hot favourite on the fourth of the day. He was poorly away before mustering very well, but then got dragged down and put out of the race. Wreck It Master got the fly and said goodbye, as he went on to land another win and continue the good run Matty Payne is having. Another monster go for the fifth with Danyo’s Clint smoked in betting, starting $4 after opening $12. Would have been some happy people when he led in a 5.05 split and never looked like getting beat as he clocked 22.77 first up from a break. Fair to say when the Harris camp backs them they generally go well! A Sticky grade 5 over the 395m trip for the 6th of the draw brought a super even field together. It was no surprise to see early speed prove the difference, with the consistent Allinga Grin flying out in her customary pattern before pinching a break around the turn. She veered wide but was too fast as she landed a return to the winners stall with a 22.56 gallop.
Race 7 was a tough 395m grade 6, with Allinga Road starting favourite. Jumping from box 4, Allinga Road stepped well and then turned on the afterburners before putting the race away. Allinga Road went 4.99-22.38 in a terrific return to the winners list. It was also an ‘Allinga’ quinella with Allinga Chloe running 2nd. Spring Drama was well supported to take out the 8th over the 455m trip after showing some really nice Angle Park form. Spring Drama jumped well to lead but approaching the turn got dragged down and put out of the race. This allowed Cawbourne Chew to zoom around before clocking a 26.12 victory. A stint at coursing seems to have done Cawbourne Chew a world of good. Race 9 was a strong 4/5 race with Undercut looking to extend his winning streak. When the lids opened it was Weblec Pearl that was able to cross from box 8 in her SA debut. She found the rail and never let anything past her as she made a winning start to her time with Neville Locheal. She posted a neat 25.69 in the process as well. Crawl started an odds on favourite in the last to send punters home a winner. Son Of Haka was able to lead from box 2 with Crawl working to his outside. As they hit the turn, Shadow Burner had loomed as a huge danger and then in the straight he went straight past them, landing his first win since april.
Dog to follow: Mallee Dreamer - Sister to the rockstar that is Mallee Magic and whilst she isn’t as good as him, she isn’t bad herself. Ran well in an Oaks heats at Angle Park and then went fair in the final. Was a bit disappointing last week at her first go over the 455m trip but seemed to have taken a lot of benefit from having that look and went really nice on Friday. Didn’t jump like she can but showed a lot of strength and hit the line well, finishing in front of Spring Drama. She can jump better and when she does, she will be very hard to roll.
Photo: Bidgee Boy clocking in at 22.31s over the 395m at the Bridge last month.
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography