Doubles for all
Outstanding weather has been a consistent theme over the last few weeks and Friday at the Bridge was no exception. A Greg Board trained hotpot kicked us off, with Spring Pony (Spring Bridge x Spring Bloom) starting very short. Somebody forgot to show Cawbourne Jean the script, as she led with ease, before putting away the field with arrogance. She got tired late and the favourite got close, but the margin was too big and Jean ticked off the maiden. Race 2 was an even maiden over the shorter trip. Finniss Charm came out very nicely to lead quite comfortably from box 8, before a danger in Pat The Tiger loomed. Finiss Charm still led into the straight but the Tiger pounced! Going past in the straight and claiming her first win. A super tricky grade over the 395m trip was our third of the day. Hands On Deck for young Harry Trengrove led the field, but Lani’s Magic made a huge mid race move and quickly got to Hands On Deck, before going past and landing a ripping victory. Time was okay but the win was outstanding. Two Jabs started favourite in the fourth after drawing box 1 again! He looked a certainty and once he led it was meant to be a case of how far, but Abernathy made a real fist of the race and came back to Two Jabs, to only just miss. Two Jabs winning in 22.32 but Abernathy brilliant behind him.
Race 5 was a super open grade 6 over the 455m trip. It proved a case of lead and you will win! Testarossa Boy found the front and was able to deal with some late finishers to win in 26.00. Was 6 was a beauty and Harbor Blues started a deserved favourite. He had to work hard to find the front, but once Harbor Blues did, then it was curtains for the rest. He waltzed away and scored in a brilliant 25.32. The 7th was another tricky grade 5 for the 395m trip with Dam Reckless starting favourite off the red. It was the Mt Gambier visitor in Aston Peso that found the front, and from there was never going to get beaten. He went all the way in a really good 22.28. Race 8 was a strong grade 5 over the 395m trip. Idle Ranger led early but the race was over at the same time, because Ransom’s Pride had landed on his outside. The powerful beast that is Ransom’s Pride, strolled past to land a great 22.40 victory.
The ninth was our 3 dog race over the 680m journey with a match race in the market between Bedrock Fred and Lashes Monelli. Amazingly, their was a bit of carnage on the first turn which put Lashes out of business and left Fred a long way in front. Fred looked home but Aston Kipchoge had a massive crack and nearly picked up Fred, but was unable to. Two weeks in a row that Stewy Barber has gone to the Bridge with 1 dog and both have netted victories. Race 10 saw a pretty strong move for Canya Razor who had been luckless in recent starts. Jumping from box 8, he put the race to bed very early. He led easily after showing terrific speed and never looked like losing, as he went around in a slick 22.12 and won by 6 lengths. Race 11 and Aston Olenna was unbackable over the 395m trip. He did what he was expected to do, going like a rocket the entire race to land a cracking 4.94-22.04 all the way victory. Punters were all over Stranger Tides in the last to end a good day. Victa Maggie was the best away but Stranger Tides was able to take over pretty quickly and from there on in, it was feet on the dashboard for the punters. He won in 25.49 and snagged a double for Kirin Corby, who has got her kennel flying.
Photo: Stranger Tides sending punters home a winner in the last
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography
Dog to follow: Canya Razor - Had been luckless before going into the race on Friday. I thought his win was terrific and the acceleration from a less suitable wide draw was terrific, a sign of improvement/learning for him. Gets his chance now to string a couple of wins together before moving up in grade.