Darrell Johnstone Doubles Up At The Straight
Tuesday (Straight Track)
It seems like every meeting that Darrell Johnstone is taking home a double from the straight track and that happened again on Tuesday. The track specialist in Hey Sisco was the first, as he overturned a very strong open class field. He stepped well from box eight, but was quickly facing a stack of pressure with a couple of dogs underneath wanting to shift up. His class and strength saw him work his way to the front, putting away the win in 17.15. Married Twice was very strong in taking out the last race of the meeting. Again from box eight, he was fairly away but really powered through his gears before putting away the $1.40 favourite and landing the double for Darrell!
Raskolnikov was a real surprise packet, winning the grade 6 final in a best of day 17.02. From box four, he was crossed early, but was able to secure a trouble free run in the middle of the track. The fawn dog travelled sweetly the entire trip, holding off the others with ease and winning by a length. He’s a nice 36kg pup this one, so hopefully he can continue to progress.
Ed Kowaleski found himself back on the winners list with his chaser Finniss Eagle overturning a $1.20 favourite. Coming out from box five on what was now a very wet track, he copped a few bumps early and had to stay strong to hold his balance. After finally settling a couple lengths off the leader, he started to make inroads and in the end, it was a grinding performance that saw him nail the leader and win by a head, for a really good victory.
Dog to follow: Witty - She put in a really good run on Tuesday, getting run down by Raskolnikov, who of course went BOD. From box five, she speared out and found the rail, but the heavy track would not have suited the 25kg bitch. Despite this, she stuck on well, only going down by a length.
Thursday (1-Turn)
We had a rare Thursday night meeting with the Adelaide Cup on the Friday night and thankfully we were treated to a great afternoon weather wise.
Jack Trengove hasn’t missed a beat lately at the Bridge and he was able to pick up another winning double. Midnight Tracker was powerful in the first race over the 680m trip, coming from off the speed to rail strongly and win in 39.38, ahead of Under Siege who was very good at her first crack over the long trip. Impress Raja was the other winner for Jack and she was electric, taking out the fast class race in a BOD 22.11 from box eight. She left beautifully from out wide and after finding a clear lead, she was untouched in extending her margin before winning quite comprehensively. At 23kg there's not much of her, but she goes like a rocket!
One dog that improved dramatically and showed its potential was By The Dram, who took out the maiden ahead of his litter and kennel mate, Kahlua And Soda. Both chasers are trained by Vern Anderson and had been going about things nicely previously, but the run on Thursday was terrific. By The Dram had box five, but despite being fairly away, showed some smarts to work through the field and then rail on the turn. In the straight, By The Dram had set up a good margin and travelled sweetly, putting the race away in a smart 22.47. I reckon you can keep following him, he’s got some promise.
The ‘Victa’ dogs are flying everywhere at the moment with the next litter hitting the ground now, however the much older Victa Mikey continues to race in great form. After five placings from his last five starts, all in good races, Victa Mikey broke through for a very well deserved victory on Thursday. He was a hot favourite from box four and after a clean beginning which saw him find the front comfortably, the punters were sitting quite happy. Victa Mikey didn’t look in any danger at any point in the race, winning in a quick BOD 25.40.
Dog to follow: Paramount State - The Matty Payne trained chaser was terrific in defeat, running behind Not For Profit in the grade 6 final on Thursday. From box six, he left well and found himself in a prominent spot, just behind Not For Profit. He looked a real danger the entire race, but just couldn’t quite pick up the favourite, however he was well in front of the chasing pack. A one length defeat in 22.44 to Not For Profit certainly reads well and I would say Paramount State starts favourite if we see him back next week for a grade 6.