Honest Frank Gives Craig Jaensch A Murray Bridge Double
Tuesday (Straight Track)
On a competitive Tuesday afternoon card up the straight, we had five decent heats of a grade 6 series over the 300m trip. There were some impressive winners, with the quickest qualifier being the Lauren Harris-trained Paw Some Storm, who used all of her speed to land a terrific victory. From box four, she came out a tad awkwardly but was good enough to very quickly balance up and fly to the lead. The others never got close to her, as she just strolled home for a comfortable 16.64 win. The final is red hot this Tuesday with the box draw making it very open.
My Place Friday must be giving her trainer Graham Smith a great thrill at the moment, with the fawn bitch in career-best form. From box eight over the 300m trip for the fast class race of the day, she came out well and found herself in front early. Up against some classy animals, she was too fast, gliding along in front before winning in a slick 16.43. That’s now three in a row for her as she continues to get quicker each week.
With the Murray Bridge Straight Track Cup heats coming next week, the Tony Rasmussen-trained Lot Of Poise will head into the series as one of the heavy hitters, following the continuation of his brilliant recent form, with a flying best-of-the-day win over the 300m trip on Tuesday. In the mixed series final, he started favourite despite having drawn box seven. When the boxes opened, he came out well and quickly asserted his presence in the race, finding the lead early, with the race effectively over from there. In the end, he waltzed away for a simple sensational 16.35, which is as fast as anything has gone for some time, albeit with a slight tail wide. Lot Of Poise will line up again this Tuesday, in a red-hot fast class race over the 350m trip, which will serve as a preview for the cup heat the week after.
Dog To Follow: Master Shameem - Had his first start up the straight and went quite well for it. He was first up for two months and up against a couple of handy chasers. From box one he came out well but did want to get to the outside, which cost him a couple of lengths in the process. In the end, he went down by a length and ran a handy 16.76. I think he will be winning one shortly up the straight.
Sunday (One-Turn)
On a cold Sunday evening at The Bridge, Craig Jaensch had a good time, picking up two winners for the night, with both winning from box four. Hurricane Carter (Mepunga Cruzer x Rosie Rocks) was the first as he broke his maiden status at just his second start. Coming to the one-turn after a debut at Angle Park, he came out well, running 5.00 to the first split which was very handy and he found himself clearly in front as a result. Once he got to the lead, he travelled sweetly and was never in any bother, as he cruised away for an impressive 22.46 victory, which was the second-fastest all night. I think he has a future with this dog. The other winner was Honest Frank, who has been in really good form recently and got a super deserving win. In the small field, he found himself in an unusual position which was in front and once he was there, he was never getting beaten. He used a bit of the track turning for home, but in the end was just far too good, running away in 22.50.
Chris Board had an enjoyable evening, also landing a double for the card. Spring Ignite was first and he showed that he was somewhere near his best again, with a powerful effort from box eight over the 395m trip. He jumped well but was led easily and he found himself putting in a couple of awkward strides trying to get past runners. After he got into a clear second, he started to lengthen quickly and in the home straight he went straight past the leader, before winning in 22.74. Spring Cocktail then made it two when she took out the fast class race over the short trip too. Despite having box four, it was a good draw for her, as she got plenty of room early to get into her work. After finding an early lead, she was able to keep grinding away to win by a length in 22.53.
It was great to see Victa Tara step out for her first Murray Bridge start, off the back of a promising start to her career at Angle Park. Known for having a bit of speed, she showed that in abundance from box three over the 395m trip. She came out quickly, running 4.95 early and setting up a race-winning lead before the turn. It was pretty light work for her, as she ran a slick 13.39 back split and won in a best of the night 22.33, which is quite impressive for a bitch having just her fourth start. She’s going to be winning plenty in her career over the 400 distances.
Dog To Follow: Spring Honour - He’s a well-performed dog who has now had two starts after a two-month break. Whilst he’s been beaten both times, he hasn’t had a great deal of luck. He’s got a bit to give and if he can either find his best box manners again or get a touch of luck, then he will be back in the winners list very shortly.