Oaks, Derby heats delight a big crowd at The Bridge
With a healthy crowd on course including a booked-out Doyle’s Function Centre on Sunday, heats were run of the 2023 Fischer Motors Country Summer Derby and Oaks at Murray Bridge on Sunday night.
Boasting an improved prize pool with thanks to new sponsor Fischer Motors, the races attracted competitive fields with two deep heats of each feature run as part of the 12-race Murray Bridge program.
The Oaks heats were races three and four on the card with opening heat taken out by the Kirin Corby trained Nell Brown which showed plenty of early speed from box two.
Finding the early lead, Nell Brown was able to open a two-length lead around the turn before holding off the fast-finishing Purified in the straight to win in 25.85. Fantastic Helga finished third while No Fines for trainer Adam Burda finished fourth to book her place in the final.
The second heat of the Oaks was taken out by the Lachlan Mill-trained Fast Headache who produced an excellent run from box eight to win.
Well supported in the market Fast Headache speared over from box eight crossing over the field and opening a three-length lead heading into the turn. Fantastic Ada and Star Leader did the chasing in the home straight but Fast Headache was too good and took out the race by one and a half lengths in 25.67,
Fast Headache will loom as the one to bear in the final having drawn box one while Nell Brown is drawn awkwardly in box five.
Races six and seven on the card were heats of the Country Summer Derby series with the first heat taken out by the Don Turner trained Know I’m One.
From box four, Know I’m One showed plenty of early speed with a 7.96 first split powering it to a winning advantage around the turn winning by two lengths from the quickly closing Kia Ora Lad while Lockaba Rocket and All About Larry rounded out the placings.
The second heat saw the Derby favourite Blue Intensity produce an excellent performance to win the second heat in 25.62. The lightly raced chaser made it four wins from six starts with an excellent run from box two winning in 25.62, three lengths ahead of Finniss Ignite while the Tania Foster trained pair of Murphy McLaren and Rafferty Blues rounded out the top four.
The pair of heat winners capped an excellent evening for Kirin Corby with Wayside breaking through for its maiden victory in the first race on the card. After six placings in its first nine career starts, Wayside powered home late to win in 22.63.