Harris, Butcher grab doubles at The Bridge
Buster Brady Caps Off A Murray Bridge Double For Harris
Sunday Meeting
On a bright Sunday afternoon with our first meeting under daylight savings, we saw 12 races on a solid program of racing.
Lauren Harris got the night underway, training the quinella in the first race. Starting from the 530m boxes, the ‘Daintree’ pair of Daintree Chief and Daintree Tiger found themselves just off the lead early as they went into the back straight. Working into the home turn, they were both holding down second and third, before Daintree Chief made a powerful sweeping move and worked to the front. Towards the line it proved to be a frantic finish, with Daintree Tiger making a late charge, but he ran out of time, as Daintree Chief held on to win nicely in 30.52. Lauren made it two for the night a bit later with the talented Buster Brady taking out a grade 5 series final over the 455m trip. From box four, he stepped well enough but was slightly outpaced early and needed to navigate some traffic. Heading into the turn, he started to make a powerful run and worked into a close second. At the top of the straight, he dived to the rail and made his move, working to the front and running away for an impressive 25.73 victory, capping off a nice night for Lauren!
Cameron Butcher was another trainer to claim a double for the night. River Bend (Aston Rupee x Coorong Lucy) was the first of the duo, with the well bred dog making the most of box one over the 395m trip. After being a bit tardy to leave the boxes he began to make some ground up the back, but rawness showed as he checked off heels heading into the turn. Despite this, he rebalanced and moved back to the rail. At the top of the straight, the run opened and he surged through along the rail, getting the head in front at the right time and winning in 22.98. Ki Ki later took out a grade 5 final over the 395m trip, defeating a strong field in the process. From box two, she came out slowly from the inside and seemed to be in a touch of bother, but she was able to work through and find some clear running along the rail. Around the bend, those in front started to shift off on the turn and Ki Ki pounced on the opportunity, shooting to the lead. Once in front, she was far too strong, winning nicely in 22.53.
Tuesday (Straight track)
Neville Loechel trained the first winner of the Tuesday card, with Weblec Hustler (Mepunga Blazer x Weblec Queen) taking out the maiden final over 300m. After a handy third on debut the week prior, the black dog lined up as favourite from box two in the final. When the boxes opened, he jumped nicely and pushed his way up to the front early. He settled a half a length off the leader as they crossed the halfway mark, but strength started to show as he pushed on to the lead. Once in front, he was just a bit too good, winning by a length in 17.41 and that would have absolutely thrilled Nev!
Vadim Roz found himself back in the Murray Bridge Straight winners list, with a super impressive Yarramundi Opal winning in best of the day time. From box seven over the short 300m trip, the black bitch started as a red hot favourite and it was quickly evident why, as she powered to the lead early against the grade 6 field. Halfway up, she had the race shot to pieces and was a mile out in front, with the margin only extending the further they went up. It was quite impressive to see her fly late and she finished the job stylishly, winning by seven lengths in a slick 16.67. A terrific run and she will take plenty of confidence from that moving forward!