Graham Smith Lands a Double Up The Straight
Tuesday (Straight track)
Graham Smith had a good afternoon up the straight track, picking up two winners for the day. My Place Friday was first and she had quite the task coming up against the straight weapon in Up There Billy, but did have box one to help her case. When the boxes opened, My Place Friday was led quite comfortably and seemingly in a bit of bother. Mid-race, My Place Friday really wound through her gears and started to close the gap and just as the line approached, she got the head down in front and stole victory in a quick 16.75. Woodside Zulu then took out the last race of the day for Graham, with the black dog returning to the winners list for the first since October. From box one he was fairly away, but stuck to the rail well. He never really looked like getting there, but towards the end his strength really showed through, as he powered home to win in 19.33. A great day out for Graham!
The talented French For Bread was a big winner on Tuesday, running a best of the day 19.26 over the 350m trip. From box one, he came out flying and led easily, before doing it quite nicely along the rail. He was never troubled in front and won well by 2 lengths. That was the fawn dogs 10th start and 4th win, so he has certainly started his career well!
The improving Jalapeno Jewel ran an equal best of the day over the 300m, to take out her 1-4 win race from box two. The stunning white and black bitch has been continuing to improve with racing throughout her career and when she jumped well and found the rail quickly on Tuesday, she was always going to take some catching. She travelled beautifully up the straight and stuck to the rail like glue, winning by 3 lengths in 16.75 which was a personal best for her. It was also one of two winners for the day for her trainer Tony Rasmussen, who had Lil Pirate win with a gutsy effort from box one over the short trip, winning in 16.92.
Dog to follow: Nangar Teddy - Had his second start in SA since joining the care of Yvvonne Maxwell and it was a good effort over the 350m trip. From box eight he wasn’t the best away but he kept working through his gears, before getting within a length of the winner in good time. It was a nice effort and I don’t think he will be waiting long to win here.
Friday (1-Turn)
Fantastic Maggie took out the maiden series final on Friday, with a brilliant win over the 395m journey. Following on from an impressive win the week prior, she went into the race as a hot favourite from box one and didn’t let her followers down! She was only fairly away, but quickly mastered pace to rail through and find the front as they went into the turn. Once there, she was never getting caught and strolled away for a 22.69 win, with the time matching up quite well with others on the card. Think she has a bit of promise.
Lauren Harris picked up a double for the day with Diesel Runner and Paw Some Sloane both getting the job done nicely. Diesel Runner was in the fast class event for the day over the 455m trip and from box five he came out nicely, before powering his way to the lead before the turn. Once he found the lead, he didn’t give it up as he held a nice margin all the way up the home straight to win in 25.84. Paw Some Sloane is a former Mount Gambier chaser who has recently joined Lauren’s care and she put in a fabulous run to win her grade 6 event. From box one, she jumped straight to the front and once she established a big lead, she was never in any danger, as she ran away for a best of the day 25.79 victory.
Southbound has been quite lightly raced recently for Kirin Corby but he was another one who returned to winning form at the Bridge this week, with a strong box one effort over the 455m journey. He jumped better than he had been recently, but was outpaced shortly afterwards. With a bit of clear air, he was able to balance up and start going through his gears up the back. Around the turn, he hooked to the outside and started to really let loose, hitting the front in the home straight and winning in 25.89. A good effort for his first win this year.
Dog to follow: Mister Banjo - He’s had two goes at Murray Bridge now and run two very close seconds to a couple of good chasers. He led over the 455m trip on Friday and just found Southbound a bit too strong. If he keeps the early speed and box manners then he will be winning very shortly at Murray Bridge.