Bridge Weekly - Competitive races & close finishes
It was a grade 5 over the 530m journey that began last Thursday night’s meeting, with Spofforth starting a $2.50 favourite for his first trip over the distance at Murray Bridge. The race began and it was Alfieri and Spring Vinnie contesting the lead down the back straight, with Spring Vinnie coming out on top to then stay in the lead and win over Alfieri in a smart 29.83. Race 2 was the maiden of the night over 455m, with first starter Mallee Magic being backed heavily into $1.70 at the race's kickoff. Mallee Magic began well only to receive a check and drop back to last, leaving a clean space for My Villanelle to push up to the lead and go on to win in a strong 25.77 run. Race 3 was the first of the grade 6’s over 455m, with Cawbourne Hope gaining a run from box 8, and Exhilarating starting a $2.25 favourite from box 1. Weblec Rebel and Cawbourne Hope contested the lead, with Hope coming out in front around the turn, before going on the win in a good 25.58 run, causing a minor upset finishing as a $9.00 chance. Race 4 was the first of two grade 6’s over the 530m distance. Zipping Whoopi began a well backed $1.70 favourite with newcomer to the track and distance, Footrot Fernando, beginning a $3.00 second favourite. Footrot Fernando led the race while Zipping Whoopi got a check and dropped to last. Footrot Fernando went on to win in 30.29, with Straight Blaze and Zipping Whoopi storming home to land second and third respectively.
Race 5 was the grade 6 final over the 455m trip and it was a very even betting market with no clear favourite. When the lids opened, the race was all but over after 10 strides because Vontate Mack was somehow able to lead and from there he was never going to lose as he stormed away for an awesome 25.38 victory. Get on him wherever he goes next because he is flying. Another even race for the grade 5s over the 455m trip in race 6 and it was Zinfandel Tori who led the field early in a sharp 7.95 split. Unfortunately for her it was the super strong See You Smile that landed behind her in the run and as they approached the turn, See You Smile hit the front and went on for an impressive 25.48 victory. Race 7 was again a super competitive grade 5 with Meet Joe Black just starting favourite over the 455m trip. Crawl, who was first up in SA for the Harris team, was able to lead from box 1, however approaching the turn Woodside Zulu loomed as a massive threat before he dropped Crawl with ease in the straight and stormed home for a really good 25.72 victory. Race 8 was the feature of the night and Jack’s Well just started favourite in the super strong final of the Shane McQueen. Fantastic Shell led clearly from box 5 and her backers would have been on pretty good terms with themselves at that point. Surprisingly she was caught midrace by Zipping Sultan, who used box 1 well to find the front. As they approached the turn, Zipping Sultan was tiring and a wall of dogs was coming at him. In the home straight it was anybody's race to win, but it was Rushes who put on the turbo boosters late and landed an awesome 29.85 victory
Race 9 was another grade 6 over the 530m and George The First started a smoking hot favourite. Simple Man used box 1 perfectly to lead clearly down the back straight, but as they approached the home straight, the rest of the field loomed as a big threat. Forte Nero used the rail perfectly and went past the leader, claiming a well deserved 30.36 win. Race 10 and the Fantastic Radley pay cheque race over the 680m trip. Radley started $1.10 and won like a $1.10 shot should, in a brilliant 38.72. Race 11 was a terrific race on paper, with Terrific Keith starting $1.50 from his preferred box 8. He flew out again and led the entire trip, clocking a sharp 7.98-25.48 gallop. The last of the night was a grade 6 over the 455m trip and Sentinel Mclaren which was the best boxed dog of the week, started a well supported favourite off the red. Ackles led early, but after weaving around some traffic, Sentinel was able to find clear air and storm away for a terrific 25.70 victory.
Dog to follow: Cawbourne Hope - She has always had a bit of ability this week and has shown it in the past and again on Thursday Night. She completely went off the boil after her first few starts and showed nothing, but Thursday night was a terrific return to form off a 3 week let up. She came out really well and stormed away in quick time for a great win. I just think that maybe that might have been a much needed confidence booster for her and that she could really go on with it now. Bitches in form tends to be a very reliable form reference and hopefully she can reproduce.
Best Bet (Monday night) - Departure Gate (Race 3, Box #6) - Has been a perennial place getter in recent times, but finally broke through for a much deserved win last start. Hoping that was the confidence booster he needed and can go on with it now. I suspect him and Sunset Milo will be the favourites in the race, but I would expect Departure Gate to be a bit too good.
Pic: Rushes after landing an awesome victory in the Shane McQueen
Credit Kurt Donsberg Photography