Nicole Price Scores A Sunday Treble
Wednesday
We had twelve races last Wednesday at Gawler, with a couple of handy performances on the card.
Speed Craze (Fernando Bale x Crazy Again) broke his maiden for trainer Des Hockley, with a slick effort from box seven at just his second career start. After a luckless debut run, he started favourite in an even field on Wednesday. From the boxes, the striking white and brindle dog came out running, helping himself to an early lead. Midrace he was able to put a margin on the others, finding himself a mile in front as he turned for home. He got a bit tired late but did more than enough, winning by five lengths in a good 23.14. I suspect that won’t be the last time he’s on the winners list.
Neil Mann enjoyed a winning double on Wednesday, with two good efforts from both winning chasers. Redevelop was the first, taking out the fast class event for the day over the 400m journey. He left the boxes nicely but didn’t lead, with the grand old veteran in Filthy Phantom doing that. Up the back straight, they were going stride for stride before Redevelop worked his way to the lead as they went into the turn. It was race over after that, as he ran away and won well in 22.91. Foresaken returned in the next race after another short spell and had box four to deal with. In a really competitive field, he jumped well but then found some trouble and lost a few lengths. The experienced campaigner was able to regain his balance and make a move up the back. In the home straight he was on the rail a clear second but thanks to a terrific finishing burst, he got the nose down at the right time to win in a thriller. The time was 23.04 but the run was a ripper, he’s been a good dog!
Rocket Man Rose was a terrific winner for Rosa Panagiotou, taking out the last of the day over the 400m trip. From box five, he started favourite in the event and once he led comfortably in a quick 8.65 first split, his backers would have been on good terms with themselves. It was easy work for the black dog after that, as he strolled away for a big five length victory in a best of the day 22.81.
Sunday
Nicole Price had a big Sunday night at Gawler, taking home a treble. Pink Confetti kicked things off in the maiden, winning quite impressively from box eight over the short trip. After a luckless debut run at Angle Park, she made amends and had to show some smarts and grit in the process. She won in 23.21, but was quite impressive in doing so, it’s fair to say that she has a future. Velocity Tahnie then won two races later with the black bitch beginning much better than she had been. After jumping well, she was in a good battle for the lead position and she looked home from that point, given her strength in her first few career starts. She ended up winning by a length in 22.81, with a fast finishing Chewdini eye-catching in behind. Nicole had to wait until the last but it was certainly worthwhile with Arrested flying around and winning super well. From box four, the black dog came out running, setting up a good lead up the back straight. He was never in any danger, strolling away for a quick 22.65 victory by six lengths. Well done Nicole on a terrific night.
Charlie Brother was a deserving winner from box one in the open grade race of the night. After some unlucky runs from poor draws, things set up better for him on Sunday. A good start allowed him to find the front with race favourite Toby West a few lengths off and in a striking position. Charlie Brother still led around the turn with Toby West making his move, but Charlie Brother did enough, winning in a best of the night 22.64. Certainly a good win and I'm sure his trainer Jason Dolan will be hoping the good box draws can continue!
Steven Brook had a winner on the night in the form of Closer To Rain, who was a surprise winner from box two over the 531m trip. It was a strong field for the grade 4/5 event, with Weblec Flame starting favourite from box one. Sutton Prince was the early leader in the race, just ahead of Weblec Flame, with Closer To Rain not near the early leaders. Up the back straight, Closer To Rain was still six lengths off the leaders and seemingly no chance. With the leaders starting to tire around the turn, Closer To Rain flicked through the gears and started to make rapid ground before going straight past in the home straight. It was an excellent 30.95 victory from the black bitch.