Oaks heats headline huge week of action at Murray Bridge
Zinfandel Pardy Sets Summer Oaks Tone
Sunday Meeting
It was a big Sunday night card at Murray Bridge, with the heats of the Fischer Motors Summer Oaks and Derby being run. Both events are run over the 455m and traditionally they bring together the state's brightest young stars to compete each year.
Three heats of the Oaks were held, with the winners being Yumali (25.58) for Cameron Butcher, Mallee Beauty (25.67) for Damien Smith and Zinfandel Pardy (25.47) for Stewart Barber.
Zinfandel Pardy was the quickest of the three heat winners and she was very strong in overcoming a slow start. From box three, she was one of the slowest into stride, but mustered powerfully to work into a more prominent second spot as they went into the turn. With the revs fully wound up heading into the turn, she blasted her way past the leader, which was Culburra, before railing through and quickly extending to a comfortable lead. She pushed right away late and won by three lengths with the 25.47 time also being the best of the night, which is quite impressive given the start she had! She will certainly line up as one of the favourites in the final next week.
On the Derby side of things, just the one prelude race was run and that went the way of the Tracie Price trained Sudoku Jaxon, who continued his terrific form, winning from box six. The fawn dog, who has really gone to another level recently, fired out from the boxes and zoomed straight to the lead, which was a little unexpected given the amount of early speed in the race. Down the back, he set up a small margin and was looking good out in front, running the strong field along. At no point in the race did he look like getting caught, running through the line strongly and winning in a quick 25.51. With a repeat of that run, he will take beating next week!
Tracie had a massive night away from the impressive win of Sudoku Jaxon, with Hit Top Gear, Croatian Comet and Wild Banker also winning, making it four winners for the night!
Cameron Butcher also enjoyed a great night, with Yumali, Parrakie and Southern Sun all producing strong performances to win their respective races, giving Cameron a treble for the evening.
It promises to be a ripping night next Sunday for the final of both the Oaks and Derby!
Tuesday meeting
Vadim Roz and Michelle Moon combined for a great day up the straight, with the duo training three winners between them.
Quality Sigh (Shima Shine x Spring Lilac) stepped out for her debut and made it a perfect start to her career, with an impressive win over the 300m trip. From box two, the black bitch came out nicely and went straight to the front, with a couple of others finding trouble behind. She quickly set up a massive lead midrace and had the race won after 100m. Despite drifting up the track, she was just way too good, winning by a huge 7 lengths in a very handy 16.95. I suspect that might be the first of a few wins for her! Outshine later lined up for his fifth career start over the same distance, with the same result ensuing. From box seven, he was tardy early and settled off the lead, but after being given a bit of room to balance up, he worked through the gears and eventually took over in front with 100m to go. It was a strong finish from the black dog which saw him win in 16.80. The straight track specialist in Yarramundi Opal had box four for her second career attempt over the 350m distance and it proved no barrier for her. In what was a strong race, she was in some trouble after leaving the boxes, coming out slowly and settling in last early. Despite this, she quickly powered through her gears and burned to the front after 100m and once she found the front she never looked in trouble, holding a commanding lead the whole way home and winning in an impressive 19.25.
Nathan Goodenough only has a small team in work but he enjoyed a handy maiden winner in the form of Flying Saucer. In what was his second career start, the black dog was treated to box one for the maiden race over 300m. After leaving the boxes well enough, he did have some outside pressure come on top of him and when he wanted to shift up the track he did find himself in a spot of bother. Despite this, he really pushed hard to hold his spot and was able to find the front after doing this early work, which ultimately proved a race winning moment. Towards the line, he extended the lead, before winning very well by a couple of lengths in 17.06. He will be worth following moving forward!