Bobby Axelrod Blitzes Them In The Derby
Tuesday (Straight track)
Gemtree Mercury was a super impressive winner for his first start in 6 months up the straight. It was a handy enough grade 6 field over the 300m journey that he ran into and had box four to make things a bit harder. He left fairly from the boxes, but bustled his way to the rail quite quickly. Once he got to the fence, he powered on through and soon after found himself in front and travelled beautifully. He waltzed away for a sharp 16.77 win and it’s a win that would have meant a bit to his trainer Paul Rehmann with the amount of time and effort he has put into Gemtree Mercury to get him back to his best. Well done Paul and Gemtree Mercury on an excellent return!
Another dog who completed a fantastic return was Express Black, who was first up for 5 months. He had box two for his assignment over the short trip and wasn’t given much of a chance by the market. With a bit of bumping early from the rest of the field, Express Black was able to position himself in a nice spot on the fence and in the lead. Towards the end he was challenged strongly by Finniss Eagle, but in the end proved a bit too good and held on for a terrific 16.83 victory. Trainer Tony Rasmussen had a monster day with not only Express Black winning, but Victa Indi, Jalapeno Jewel and Victa Grosso all getting the job done to give Tony four winners for the afternoon.
Ashlee Griffiths does a fair bit of work and travelling with her dogs and was rewarded on Tuesday with Notoriety winning in his second start since joining Ashlee’s care. He ran well first up the week prior, before drawing box five for Tuesday’s race. It was a competitive masters grade race with the straight track expert in Pepperjack starting favourite from box eight. When the boxes opened it was Married Twice who jumped the best with Notoriety able to find a nice position in the middle of the track in second. Midrace, Notoriety was able to take over and hit the lead and good thing he did, with a fast approaching wall of chasers charging just behind. It was a close finish but Notoriety did enough and held on in 16.91.
Dog to follow: Sir Truculent - Their may still be life in the old legs yet as Tuesday’s 350m effort would suggest. It was a good race that the old boy found himself in and from box four he was certainly up against it. After jumping well he was quickly squeezed up and desperately in need of room, which he couldn’t get. Despite battling to get a clear run for a good portion of the race, he still charged late to finish a good fourth. If he can find the right race soon then we may just see him back on the winners list again.
Sunday (1-Turn)
On a terrific card at Murray Bridge it was Bobby Axelrod that took out one of the features with the AGRC Murray Bridge Derby going the way of the white and brindle chaser. It was a top field with plenty of speed engaged from some quality chasers, with Bobby just starting favourite in the race. When the boxes opened it was a hot go to the first split, but Bobby Axelrod was doing a bit too well and just got himself to the front ahead of Lochinvar Cahill. Once in front, he proved too quick as he burnt off the other to win in a best of the night 25.40 by three lengths. That was win 14 from 25 for Bobby and he is fast turning into a topline chaser here in SA!
Earlier it was the girls version, with the AGRC Murray Bridge Oaks going the way of the Tony Rasmussen trained Victa Marli. The speed that Victa Marli has consistently shown was once again on display as the dark brindle bitch quickly set up a lead from box seven with a hot 7.93 first split. Once in front, it was effortless, as she strolled away for a comfortable 4 length win in 25.56. Not only did Tony take out the Oaks but he picked up another two winners in the form of littermates Victa Alby and Victa Kerle, who both terrific in their grade 6 wins over the 395m distance.
Ben Rawlings has got the kennel going super and that continued on Sunday with an early treble. The old boy in Mr. Ticket showed he can still match it with the best by winning the fast class race over the 455m trip. From box eight, he jumped evenly but did things right and stayed wide. Around the turn is when he made his move, going to the front before running away in the straight and clocking 25.71. The airborne Panorama made it three wins straight, with a slick all the way effort over the 455m journey at her first look at the Bridge. From box seven, she flew out of the boxes to find an early lead. She travelled well and despite getting tired late, she did enough to win in 25.69. Ben’s third winner was one of the other features on the night, taking out the Anniversary Cup with Spring Phoebe. From box seven, she didn’t leave the best and had to do some work early to get herself up to the front, but once she hit the lead around the turn, she wasn’t for catching as she won by a length in 30.20. Another good night for Ben!
Dog to follow: Terrific Tyla - The brindle bitch returned to Murray Bridge after a couple of weeks off and was dealt a tough challenge with box eight and a hot field. When the boxes opened she flew out and found a clear lead, but was overtaken rather quickly by Spring Honour. That didn’t deter her as she fought back well and nearly stole the race, going down by a head in a gripping finish. It was an excellent run and she is certainly due to win one again.