Maximum Refusal Continues Wonderful Form
Tuesday (Straight track)
Finniss Blaze continued his terrific return to racing, with yet another victory which made it three straight since returning this preparation. He had box one on Tuesday over the short trip and started favourite off the back of his two starts prior. He wasn’t the fastest away and needed some room early, but he just waited patiently and when the run opened midrace, he took it in a matter of strides. After that, he hit the line strongly to win well in 16.79, a win that certainly would have pleased his trainer Ryan Tugwell and you would think the 350m trip would suit this boy.
Emerley Aussie returned to her fabulous best, when she scored up the straight in a near best of the day 16.63, from a suitable box one. Early speed has always been her best asset, which was very much on show, as she came out on roller skates with a 4.30 first split, simply flying. A massive lead eventuated from that start and she was just never going to get caught once she was so far in front. A comprehensive three-length victory in the end and it was certainly good to see her at her best again!
By The Dram finally got its elusive first victory for the year out the way, with a great effort from box one on Tuesday. He used the inside box well to find the early lead and once he got there he seemed to be doing things quite nicely. Late in the race, By The Dram got weary, but just fell in to win by a nostril in a fantastic finish! The result was a well-deserved 19.35 victory, a win that certainly would have pleased his trained Vern Anderson.
Dog to follow: Honest Frank - Has had a few start-ups straight now and on Tuesday he just went down by a nose in good time. Coming up the straight, he looked quite green, but he can certainly move along and a repeat run of that effort will have him winning one very soon.
Friday (One-turn)
Dave Peckham made the two and half hour trip down to the Bridge and walked away with a couple of winners to make it a worthwhile drive. Federal Flash was the first winner and put on a dominant display over the 455m trip. From box two, he came out well and found the front, once he was there it was a comfortable ride, as he controlled the race in front. At no point was in danger, winning well in 25.48. Maximum Refusal was next up over the 530m trip, also from box two. He jumped well to lead but was outpaced midrace and seemingly in some trouble, however, he just stuck to the rail and kept grinding away and started to make some ground back around the turn. In the home straight, he just pulled out enough and got up in 30.03, which made it three wins in a row for the five-year-old chaser - quite good!
Lauren Harris also had a winning double for the afternoon, which started with the first starter in Teo’s Girl (Orson Allen x Elcee Jay), who was backed late from box one. She came out nicely and quickly railed her way through to the lead. When in front, she was challenged by another first starter in Danyo’s Chad, who gave her a really good race, but Teo’s Girl just proved a tad too good, winning in a handy 22.65. Bundegi then won later in the day to get a deserving victory. She started a red hot favourite from a middle draw over the short trip but made light work of things in the end. Her early speed is her best asset and that was on show again, as she flew out in a 4.97 first split and after that, it was a pretty easy watch, with Bundegi strolling home in a very handy 22.40.
Not often do you see a 40kg greyhound, but Kanji Service is one of those and he lined up for his first South Australian start. From box four in the last of the day evening, he was a red hot favourite over the 395m trip. Whilst he was only fairly away, he quickly mustered his way to the front and proved way too good, winning in a quick 22.39. He’s been a good Victorian performer and you would think that he will be winning a few races here in South Australia.
Dog to follow: Victa Daryl - Been in good form recently and was a real eye-catcher on Friday, when he stormed home over the 395m distance. He’s a dog that likes room to move and if he can draw wide over the 455m trip, then he might take some beating.