Chegia dominant again - The Bridge Weekly
Race 1 on a very cold night at the Bridge, the maiden final kicked us off over 395m and it was a very competitive market with Canya Razor just starting a $2.50 favourite. Finniss Blossom was the early leader in the race before Canya Razor got underneath and took over. This was short-lived as Came And Went railed under him and looked home. As they approached the line Outback Rebel came storming home and hit the front, which landed a very impressive victory given his 5.32 early split and the field sense he showed to find the front. Race 2 was a grade 6 over the 395m and saw the return of the powerhouse in Zipping Cola. Lana Roads was the favourite and early leader, as she fired out in a 5.00 early split and she looked home after that given her run home over the same track/trip a couple of weeks ago. Coming down the home straight a massive threat loomed in Zipping Cola and with about 20m to go, he took over and claimed a monster win. His overall time of 22.28 was huge given his first split of 5.30. Race 3 was the match race of the week with Sir Truculent and Fantastic Radley set to do battle over the 680m journey. The market leant Radley’s way as he started $1.60 to Sir Truculent’s $2.50. It was the ‘Truc’ that was able to lead the race and when he led by 4 lengths down the back, his followers would have been pretty confident. However, at the top of the turn, he looked to hit a brick wall and Radley made his move, making up plenty of ground around the turn. It was raced on at the top of the straight with the dogs wide apart but Fantastic Radley proved too classy and went on past to land an awesome win and set a new track record of 38.63. Race 4 was a strong grade 3/4/5 over the 530m trip and Max Voltage, who was the best-boxed runner of the week from box 1, started a well-supported favourite. Alfieri jumped very well and was able to lead comfortably from box 8. Coming around the bend, the only danger was the local champ in Spring Vinnie. In a gripping finish, Spring Vinnie just hit the front and landed a nice 29.91 victory.
Race 5 was a grade 6 over the 455m and Frodo Baggins was a well backed runner off his preferred 8 box. It was a very competitive race the entire way round but as they hit the straight, Frodo Baggins used the 8 box perfectly to whip around the field and score a 25.86 victory. Another very competitive 455m grade 6 for the sixth of the card and the super consistent Anna’s Spark flew out in a 8.00 early split to lead the field. Crush Your Enemy went past her as they approached the turn and continued to run very wide in the home straight. Down the straight, Crush Your Enemy just about touched the 680m boxes but still powered on landing an awesome 25.59 victory. Race 7 an absolute scorcher for the 455m trip. Craggy Island started a dominant favourite ahead of some quality types including Fantastic Shell, Undercut and last year's Adelaide Cup winner Golden Night. The race was a total one act affair as Craggy Island led the entire journey, clocking a ripping 7.94-25.30 run. He is in some terrific form. Race 8 was another one act affair in the grade 5 over 455m. Booralite was well backed off box 1, but it was the iron dog that is Jack’s Knight which led the entire trip, clocking a 7.99-25.56 win.
Race 9 was a grade 5/6 over the 530m trip and Aston Thunder went around the odds on favourite. Another Storm led the field for a long way but the favourite was able to get behind him mid race. As they hit the turn, Aston Thunder loomed up to Another Storm and went past him on his way to scoring a convincing 30.09 victory. Race 10 was for the veterans over the 395m and it was an even field. The super consistent Cawbourne Cross led the field as they turned for home but it was Ask Me Now who swept around the outside and just scored a nice win. Race 11 and a super interesting race with Wild Card making his SA debut, recently from the Jason Thompson kennel and no doubt a purchase with bigger races in mind. Miss Cola started a well-supported favourite from box 8 and as the lids opened she was able to quickly whip around the early leader in He’s All Ours. As they turned for home, every dog had their chance but Miss Cola was far too good and landed a terrific 22.31 win. The last of the night was a ripping grade 5 over the 395m trip. Terrific Keith started a strong favourite from box 1 whilst Hali’s Girl was well backed from box 5. Hali’s Girl was the initial leader and Terrific Keith was behind her, seemingly in a bit of bother. Turning for home, Hali’s Girl was still running strong and Terrific Keith went very wide on the turn. Down the straight though, Terrific Keith really picked himself up well and stormed home to land a super impressive 22.26 win.
Dog to follow: Zipping Cola - Don’t have to be an expert to pick this one but his run on Thursday was just awesome. To run 22.28 after a 5.30 early split, on a night that wasn’t really conducive to fast times was super. He has had plenty of injury issues which has seen him on the sidelines for four months but his trainer and owner Robbie Harnas has done a terrific job to get him back. He doesn’t turn two until October and I think he could be in for a huge campaign and certainly be peaking in three months time when our feature races are on.
Best Bet (Wednesday straight track): Aston Bintang (R6 - Box #8) - A newcomer to SA recently. His first two runs on the one turn have been very good despite some concerning market drifts for him. Turns up in a pretty competitive grade 4/5 race here which should ensure some odds about him. He is a fast animal and his two runs here so far confirm that he is going well. Think he uses box 8 perfectly and is simply too fast for the others.
Best Bet (Thursday night): Shavano (R10 - Box #8) - Absolutely ripping card Thursday night with plenty of good dogs to go around. Shavano lobs in a grade 6 here over the 455m and was subject to a big plunge last run which didn’t quite come off. He is racing so well and gets his preferred box in 8. The race is probably void of depth but I think with Spring Crossing and Canya Storm in the race, he should be some sort of odds. Should just burn this field off and win easy.
Pic: Fantastic Radley gets the better of Sir Truculent in a terrific race. (Kurt Donsberg Photography)