Chegia has another night out - The Bridge Weekly
Race 1 over the 680m journey on a jam-packed city meeting last Thursday and Fantastic Radley went around the shortest priced favourite in Australia. After getting crossed early by New Year Tears, Radley had to push Tapestry Tears out the way to get into a prominent spot. He did so with a bit of arrogance and from there he went straight past the leader and landed another victory and broke the 39-second mark again. Race 2 and just the 3 dogs went around in a maiden over the 455m trip. We got to see the first of this Spring Brigade x Spring Bloom litter which has had a stack of hype on the trial track. Spring Agatha was the market elect, opening $2.10 and being crunched into a raging hot favourite. After copping a bit of pressure early, she showed some class to push through and put a gap on the other two dogs midrace. She went on to land a really impressive 25.69 win, which given the track conditions was a terrific run. She looks like a super promising 500-600+m bitch in the future. Race 3 and the first heat of Shane Mcqueen over the 530m. Jack’s Well started a hot favourite off box 2, but when the boxes rose he was in a bit of strife as the track recorder holder in Fantastic Shell flew out to cross. From there she was never getting beat and strolled in for a very sharp 29.81 run, with Rhyme Nor Reason behind her. Race 4 and we saw another hot favourite with Zipping Sultan starting a $1.45 favourite. Gary’s Miracle used box 1 perfectly to hunt through and hold the lead with Fantastic Pippa outside of her. Mid-race it was the favourite who took over and showed his class to hit the front and get a clean break on the others. In the home straight Zipping Sultan was slowing down and Fantastic Pippa came again, but just missed as Zipping Sultan claimed the win in 30.01 which was the slowest of the three heats.
Race 5 was a really good race and we saw the in-form Rushes start an even money favourite. Another Storm jumped well and led with Max Voltage using box 1 well to get underneath him and took over mid race. Rushes was able to work into second spot as they approached the turn and loomed as a huge danger. As they hit the straight, it was class that prevailed and Rushes was too good for Max Voltage as he landed a 29.87 victory. Race 6 and we saw the best boxed dog of the week in Terrific Keith, who started an even money favourite over the 455m trip. The race was over after 5 metres as Terrific Keith launched out and reeled off a 7.94-25.44 all the way victory. Whilst it isn’t the quickest time you will see, the track was certainly off a couple of tenths. A couple of comments from those on course to the tune of “this things flying” certainly said plenty about the run. This also capped off a treble for trainer Ozzie Chegia. Amazingly from his last 23 starts, Ozzie has had 13 winners and another 5 placings. He is arguably the hottest kennel in Australia at the moment. Race 7 was a fairly even race, with Meet Joe Black and Sudden Force being favoured. At the box rise, Thunder On flew out in a 8.04 first split and looked to be home until the home straight where Like A Librarian came storming home, but Thunder On held on to win by a head in 25.59. Race 8 the first of the 455m grade 6 heats, with Zipping Cola starting favourite off a good win the week prior over 395m. Springvale Slick and Ackles went toe to toe early before Springvale Slick took over approaching the turn. Unfortunately for his backers, the mighty strong Vontae Mack loomed up strongly before he took over and won in 25.63. He has certainly found some form the big boy!
Race 9 and the second heat of the grade 6 series saw an even field with no clear favourite. Gemtree Apollo mustered strongly to gain the lead around the corner and looked to be home until Cold Esky swooped around and took the lead to win in 25.73. The tenth race and third heat saw Spring Crossing step up to the 455m from the 395m trip and start a $2.25 favourite. It was an even line out at box rise with Mazza’s Princess leading to the corner until Nockatunga pushed up on the rail to find the lead and went on to win comfortably in 25.82. Race 11 was the final heat of the grade 6 series and was another even field with Rock It Barcia starting a $3 favourite. Rock It Barcia led the field in 8.07 and never looked like losing, running 25.67 across the line. The last race saw a mixed 4/5 run over the 455m with the in-form Spofforth starting a clear $2.10 favourite. The race changed complexion at box rise with Undercut running a blistering 7.96 first split and never really looked in trouble as he went on to win in a terrific 25.53.
Dog to follow: Fantastic Pippa - She certainly had some doubt about her stepping up to the 530m last Thursday off the back of a slightly disappointing 455m run the week before. However, I thought she was terrific in her narrow defeat to a dog with some ability. She jumped well to clock a neat 12.06 early split but was just outpaced midrace. After giving the leader a few lengths she got the margin back to under a length in a really good effort. Her sister and current track record holder, Fantastic Shell only went a few lengths quicker than her as well. She is up against it in the final this week of the Shane Mcqueen, but if she can find the right race the week then she will be in with a red hot chance.
Best Bet (Wednesday straight track): Gel Blaster (Race 5, Box #2) - First up for the Bec Romyn kennel which is very astute at producing them first up. The dog has ability and showed plenty in his first two career starts. This race is pretty competitive and I suspect the market will reflect that. Should be good odds and if the money comes for him, he should go very close to winning.
Pic: Terrific Keith as he scorches around the Bridge
Kurt Donsberg Photography