Peckham has a perfect day up the Straight
Tuesday (Straight Track)
Well we had some really good races on Tuesday up the straight, with the day completely dominated by Dave Peckham, taking home winners as he continues his wonderful affiliation with the track. Having runners in just four races for the day, it was a sensational effort to win all four of those races. Dundee Reactor started the day for Dave, winning race 3 with ease, before the champ Aston Olenna produced a ripping effort to win the fourth in a slick 16.61. Bourne Brett was the next winner for Dave over the 350m trip, knocking off his grade 6 in 19.63, before Denzell Bale completed the 4fa. Well done to all involved!
Cookie Twist was able to knock off his maiden at start four after some really good efforts previously. He was able to lead up in 4.51, before going nicely midrace and defying a pack of chasers at the end. He’s part of quite a handy litter, so hopefully we can see some more wins from them.
Sunset Toxic made an excellent return to the track after an injury which kept him sidelined for three months. He landed in a suitable grade 5 over the 300m trip, but his win signified that he wasn’t far off his best. With a quick first split of 4.42, he never looked in any danger on route to the 16.73 victory. Sunset Toxic will now line up in a heat of the Straight Track Cup on Tuesday.
Dog to follow: Captain Larry - He’s not far away from winning this guy. Been good in all his runs back from a spell, just finding trouble at bad times. He’s got plenty of ability as seen when he first started his career, so hopefully this Tuesday he can put it all together again and get back in the winners list!
Friday (1-Turn)
Danyo’s Mercy scored another win in the first race on Friday, this one being her first over the 530m trip. It was a brave effort from the black bitch, after finding a relatively soft lead. She was really challenged midrace and responded terrifically, kicking away again to win in a quick 29.78. I love the way she goes about it. She's not blessed with electrifying pace, but is so honest and tough.
The Dave Peckham roadshow continued on Friday, with Maximum Refusal scoring his first win this year, with a defying effort over the 680m trip. After a string of placings, he landed a good draw with box 1 in a small field. He didn’t lead early but landed closer than normal and took over from New Year Tears as they hit the turn. Whilst leading was probably a forgotten feeling, he handled it well and dug in to win!
Allinga Lily was a thoroughly deserving winner on Friday, breaking through after a few unlucky runs. She jumped well but it got quite hairy with a wall of chasers hitting the turn at once. That didn’t worry the bitch, who just used some smarts to possie up before descending late on them and getting home. A good win!
Lisa Rasmussen enjoyed a nice double for the day. Frodo Baggins was the first winner, but it looked incredibly unlikely when he was four lengths last leaving the boxes over the short trip. With a bit of fortune midrace, the opportunity presented itself and he took it with both paws! Victa Buzz completed the double and affirmed her preference for the Murray Bridge circuit over Gawler. It was an electric performance, as she led in a quick 4.96, before winning in 22.12.
Dog to follow: Victa Oreo - Yes he’s not the most talented dog I’ve ever put in this section, but I really think that if he gets a crack over the 455m trip then he can do something. He’s shown that he enjoys the straight track, but his last couple on the 1-turn have been really good, with strong run homes. Friday was no different, he actually came okay from the inside but didn’t enjoy pressure to his outside. Once he got clear air and found the straight, he got home really nicely and wasn’t far off the winner.
Mepunga Blazer and Weblec Ace at stud Straight Track Cup
This Tuesday sees four terrific heats of the Mepunga Blazer and Weblec Ace at stud Straight Track Cup. It’s a race that is very hotly contested every year and always brings together a ripping final. This final will be no different, with plenty of very good dogs lining up across the heats.
Heat 1 - SA Star - Fantastic Victor will likely start favourite with the Victorian rocket Aston Scorcher coming over to give him something to think about. Springvale Force will also line up in this heat at just his 5th ever start. Whilst he hasn’t raced at this track, I think class will get Fantastic Victor home.
Heat 2 - The flying Craggy Island will look pretty intimidating to a couple of his challengers, off the back of two brilliant efforts recently. John Dutton will create some interest but faces a task from box 8, whilst we have more Victorian flavour in Major Cyclone, who did win here two starts ago, which presumably was in preparation for this race. I think speed will see Craggy Island win, but Major Cyclone is going super and will challenge him.
Heat 3 - A couple of Straight Track experts to do battle here, with Aston Hayato and Curl’s Victory engaged. Both of them have genuine chances in this. Smart As Jack comes from Victoria with really good form lines, but cops a bad draw outside of Curl’s Victory. The effort from Winner’s Win to get up in a final up the Straight a few starts ago still sits with me, and I think if he gets a look then he can certainly win this.
Heat 4 - Probably the least depth in this race compared to the others, but still a ripper. Aston Olenna will start a deserved favourite and cops a beautiful draw, so gets his chance to make the final. Dash Home is going terrifically and can certainly win, but I think Aston Olenna will be a touch too good.
Goodluck to all involved this Tuesday!