Harris continues hot form with Bridge treble
Friday (One-Turn)
We had a strong program on Friday for the Murray Bridge card with 12 quality races around the one-turn track.
Lauren Harris enjoyed a terrific afternoon landing three impressive winners to continue her recent run of strong form.
San Lorenzo was Harris’ first winner over the 680m trip where it jumped well from box one to find the early lead before getting outpaced and settling a few lengths off the lead. Despite being off the lead, it was able to power to the lead late and storm away winning in 39.67 ahead of its kennel mate Leo Bravado.
Teo Meo then showed her strength over the 455m distance with a determined victory. She jumped well and settled in a clear second early before making her presence felt at the top of the straight and getting away for a comfortable 25.72 victory.
Beer Coaster made it three consecutive races for Harris and completed the treble. From box seven, he proved way too quick over the 455m distance, leading the entire way and winning by three lengths in 25.82.
Fantastic Freddy made a brilliant return to the racetrack having his first start in over a year and a half. Under the care of Paul Rehmann, he was well backed from box seven over the 395m trip but they would have been worried after he was slow to go and copped a couple of solid checks early. Despite this, he kept working around on the outside and found himself in a close third around the turn. He had to switch off heels which cost him some ground, but he re-balanced and made the most of a bit of luck to run over the top and win in 22.66. which was a massive effort after that much time off.
Ben Rawlings brought a team down to the Bridge and picked up two winners onr the card. North Bleachers was first with a debut victory from box two over the short trip. He stepped well and settled in third, a few lengths off the leader. Around the turn, he showed some smarts and went through a gap before charging to the lead at the top of the straight. He went on to win in 22.55, which is quite smart for a maiden.
Pockets Watson then made it two winners for the Rawlings team shortly after with a painless win from box four over the same trip. He found the lead relatively easily and once in front he was never getting run down, winning in a quick 22.36.
Dog to follow: Speeding Turtle - Made his debut in the North Bleachers race and showed a bit. He was slow early and had to deal with a bit of interference but worked his way into clear air. After railing through on the turn, he really powered home and wasn’t far away from the winner running a handy 22.67 himself. He wants further and it shouldn't take him too long to break through for his maiden.
Tuesday (Straight Track)
Plenty of anticipation went into the Tuesday program, with the final of the South Australian National Straight Track Final the headline act. It was a field with great depth and quality that lined up over the 350m distance with some terrific chasers hoping to take out the final.
In an even contest, Cash On Delivery started favourite for the race from a favourable wide box eight draw, with the rest of the field also given a winning chance. When the boxes opened, it was the faultless He’s On Fire who flew to lead the field with Cash On Delivery also stepping quickly. By the middle part of the race, Cash on Delivery had burnt his way to a clear lead and was looking quite good in front. With 100m left to go, the challengers were fast approaching and back on the rail and it was Federal Outlaw who was making rapid ground. The race went down to the last few strides, but the Ben Rawlings trained Federal Outlaw proved a tad too good, getting up to win narrowly in a fast 19.05, ahead of Cash On Delivery and Aston Olenna.
Both Federal Outlaw and Cash On Delivery will now venture over to Healesville in Victoria, where they will represent South Australia on the national stage, as they take on the best two chasers from each state in a red hot final over the 350m trip in a few weeks.