Diesel Runner continues Murray Bridge domination in North vs South challenge
Round two of the North v South challenge series moved to Murray Bridge on Sunday, with a terrific evening of racing.
The first heat of the challenge for the night was the 395m North heat, with the race going the way of the Ben Rawlings trained Mr. Ticket, who continued his brilliant affiliation with the track.
From box one, he came out well and mustered his way to a share of the lead, controlling his spot on the rail in the process. Around the turn, Mr. Ticket had burst his way through to the lead and was always going to be hard to catch from that point. In the end, he waltzed away to win by a widening five lengths in a quick 22.29.
Heat two of the South series over 395m went the way of Diesel Runner, who made the most of box one. From the good draw, he landed in a clear second, with plenty of room to work with, setting his sights on the leader in Hot Sky. As they straightened for home, he was able to take a small gap on the rail and punch through to the lead before getting up narrowly by half a length and turning the table on Hot Sky who beat him at Gawler. The time was a fast 22.27 and continued Diesel Runner’s incredible Murray Bridge record which includes 11 wins and 10 placings from 24 starts over the 395m trip.
The 530m races were up next with the North event being severely affected by scratchings which meant we had a match race between Dash Of Blue and Show Me Bucks. From the inside, Dash Of Blue was able to lead relatively comfortably and from that point the result was quite simple, as he extended his margin throughout the race and led all the way in a red hot 29.71. That is an excellent time and their is no doubt that he will go into the series final as the clear favourite next week at Gawler.
South was up next and this was a particularly even field, with all eight chasers given a chance in the event. From box four, Victa Speed was able to get to the front early and set the tempo. After creating a two-length lead down the back, he appeared to have the race under his control and was looking comfortable as they rolled around the home turn. In the straight, the fast finishers were coming, with Finniss Redeem throwing out a huge challenge but Victa Speed did enough and held on to win narrowly in 30.04.
One of the performances of the night came from the Oswald Chegia trained Fantastic Keary, who returned back to his best form, with a best of the night win over the 455m distance.
After being led early from box four, he was able to shove his way to the lead around the home turn, before really turning on the afterburners. Up the home straight, the lead extended, as he powered away for a completely dominant 25.59 win.
The Chegia team also had a double, with the Elizabeth Chegia trained Fantastic Bobby winning well on debut over the 455m trip. From box five, he led and out in front he looked really strong. The 36kg fawn dog held his margin the entire way around, before winning in 25.96. His dam was a stayer and he gives the impression that he will enjoy racing over more ground