Harris, Tugwell combine for four winners at Murray Bridge
Sunday (One-turn)
It was a big night on a wonderful Sunday at Murray Bridge for the training duo of Lauren Harris and Ryan Tugwell, with the team taking home four winners.
The night started perfectly for the duo when Beer Coaster put up an excellent debut performance, to win from box five over the 395m sprint. After a fair beginning which saw him sitting in second, the black dog mustered quickly into the turn and powered underneath to find the lead. At the top of the straight, he was looking really good as he ran away for an excellent 22.53 victory.
The next race was another maiden with Teo Meo putting together a gritty performance, to land a tough 22.69 victory. Me Same You was then dominant in the fourth of the night, winning over the 680m trip in a slick 39.24, before Teo’s Girl capped off an excellent night for the team, with an upset victory over the 455m trip in 26.04.
Adrien Chevalier got in on the fun and had a training double for the evening.
The consistent Balonne Boy was the first winner and he was able to deal with some interference from box two over the 455m journey. After stepping cleanly, he lost his spot outside the leader and had to settle in third early. Despite this, he was able to stick to the rail and when the run opened up in the home straight, he was more than happy to oblige and take it, sailing through for an impressive 25.77 win.
Adrien’s other winner was See Oliver, who produced the biggest upset of the meeting, winning at some very good odds. It was a relatively even grade 6 field over the 395m trip and when the boxes opened, he found himself a couple of lengths off the leader. Some fortune on the home turn saw the run open up in the straight and he just proved too strong, staying on the rails and gliding through to the lead to win in 22.81.
Bosko Stamenkovic also picked up a double for the evening with Hit The Drums and Darling Sherry putting together complete performances to both land a victory. Hit The Drums was far too speedy over the 395m trip, coming out in a fast 4.99 first split from box eight, before roaring away for a totally dominant 22.66 victory.
It was a little wait until race 9, but worth it with Darling Sherry making the most of box one. From the 395m distance, she came out well and mustered along on the rail, before holding the lead as they went into the turn. In the home straight, she had complete control of the race and was in no danger at all, winning well in 22.61.
Dog to follow: Miracle To Excel - Had no luck at all over the 455m trip and finished near last, but showed some glimpses. His last two starts going into the race had been full of merit and he’s quickly improving. Think he can win at good odds very shortly.
Tuesday (Straight track)
We had horrible conditions at Murray Bridge to start the Tuesday afternoon card, but it did not deter the Michael Taylor trained Midnight Feast, who took out the first race of the day with an excellent effort, breaking through for his maiden win at start six.
From box eight, he was returning after a four-month break, having shown ability in his first few starts. He started favourite for the race and when the boxes opened it didn’t take him long to burst through to an early lead from box eight. After hitting the front, he simply roared away from the others and won in totally dominant fashion, getting home by five lengths in a quick 16.71.
Taylor also had another winner later in the day with Proof Coin going particularly well, winning strongly over the 300m trip in a sizzling 16.58.
John Sargent would have had a most pleasing afternoon, with Remember Lee getting up in emphatic style after returning to the racetrack following a five-week absence. From box two in a competitive grade 6 field over the 300m distance, he came out a tad awkwardly and found himself a couple of lengths off the early lead. Despite not having the cleanest of getaways, he quickly mustered his way to the front early and looked a big danger mid-race. Approaching the line, he was going strongly and won well, clocking 16.52 for a terrific win.
Dog to follow: Bourne Nicko - He’s a nice big dog that has a motor. Ran third in the 350m final on Tuesday, despite drawing upside down in box one. He only went down by a length and ran a quick 19.19 himself. He will win shortly up the straight, particularly if he draws wide.