Oaks And Derby Heats Red Hot
Tuesday (Straight track)
Tuesday’s straight track meeting well and truly belonged to young Jack Trengove, who had a big day with four winners. The first of the quartet was Sweet Succulent (Kinloch Brae x Aston Bardot) who broke through for her maiden victory. She jumped well from box five to lead super comfortably. There was one challenger but they weren't good enough to chase Sweet Succulent down as she went 17.25 to win. The super consistent Up There Billy made the most of a small field as he went all the way in 16.75 to notch up another win and make it two for Jack. It was a little wait until the last two races for Jack, but certainly worth it as he took both out to make it four. Emerley Bruce continued his terrific form to go a slick 16.76, before Terrific Molly, who has only recently joined the kennel, completed the day for Jack as she won in 16.98. Well done to Jack who is being rewarded for plenty of hard work.
The Kiah Hurley trained Mepunga Echo (Premier Fantasy x Just Lovin’ It) was brilliant in knocking off his maiden, with a completely dominant victory over the 300m trip. After some good runs in town, he looked like a good thing on Tuesday and he won like it too. He was well backed from box tw and when the boxes opened he came out well, before shifting up the track early. He was able to get to the lead quite quickly and when he did he went into total overdrive, quickly dropping the others off and running into a world of his own. The end result was a monstrous 16.79, 11 length win, which you don’t see often at the straight! A terrific run and no doubt he will be winning a few more at the straight.
By The Dram made it three wins from her first twelve starts as she won in a thriller from box one over the 300m trip. It was an even grade 6 field with plenty of uncertainty about who will win. It was a bit messy out of boxes but By The Dram did things nicely early and stuck to the rail. Midrace, Casino Rose and By The Dram had cleared out and were set to fight it out on the finish line. Casino Rose was holding a margin but right on the finish line By The Dram put it a lunge and it was a good one, getting the bob in a ripper. A good 16.90 win for the white and black dog who is going the right way about things.
Dog to follow: Cawbourne Rocky - For a dog that’s only won 1 race from 36 goes, I thought his effort on Tuesday was rather solid. He had box seven and came out well, but was jammed up and in need of some room. After working his way through that traffic, he found himself in a clear second, before hitting the line well and holding a clear second. Clearly he is no superstar but that was a good effort and if he finds a suitable field again up the straight shortly then he’s going to win one.
Sunday (1-Turn)
Heats of the Summer Oaks & Derby were the showcase on a cracking Sunday night at the Bridge.
The Oaks heats were up first and the three heats were taken out by Whiskey Soda (25.98), Victa Marli (25.80) and Spring Cocktail (25.82). The Greg Board trained Spring Cocktail was arguably the most impressive of the three, with the fawn bitch returning to the form she showed earlier in her career. The map set up well with a lack of early speed in the race and Spring Cocktail was able to capitalise on that and help herself to a cheap lead. Once in front she wasn’t for catching, going on to win impressively and stake her claims as a big hope in the final next week.
The Derby which is stronger than the Oaks this year threw up some fantastic performances. The three heat winners were Bobby Axelrod (25.62), Elegant Beamer (25.59) and San Lorenzo (25.59) with very little separating them on the clock. The mighty strong San Lorenzo was first up for a few weeks for his heat, but showed that he hadn’t lost any fitness with his comprehensive victory. From box one he bounced well and quickly found the lead, which isn’t always his go! However, once in front it was race over as he ran away, proving too quick, too strong and too good! He will need luck in the final next week with a bit of speed in the race but if the runs come he will be there to take it. The Derby next week will be a ripper, we have some very nice young dogs in South Australia at the moment.
Aston Bullet made it two wins in a row when he took out a grade 5 over the 395m trip. He has been super consistent lately and after winning his last start up the straight in quick time, he was able to do the same on the circle. He jumped quickly and led the field, quickly setting up a nice lead. In the home straight he started to get tired and the chasers closed from behind, but he did enough and hung on for a 22.67 victory. Dogs like him that put in the same effort and do things right week to week are like gold.
Dog to follow: Fifty Eight - Hard to miss his run in a heat of the Derby. After some really sound Angle Park runs, he continued his good form on Sunday and was quite stiff during the run. From box two he came out well, but was just outpaced by Bobby Axelrod. Midrace he dropped back quite quickly with the pressure proving too much. After finding himself last as they turned for home, he picked himself up again and rattled late to grab third. It was an excellent effort and I would be happy to side with him in the Derby final next week.