Rasmussen Lands Four Up The Straight
Tuesday (Straight track)
Tony Rasmussen had a big afternoon at the straight track, with another four winners to continue the fantastic run that the kennel is having this year. The most impressive of the lot was the inform Lot Of Poise, who continued his affiliation with the straight track with a best-of-the-day effort over the 300m distance. From box two, he was a bit slow to go and found himself a few lengths off the early leader, which is never ideal over a shorter trip. Despite this, he was able to get himself towards the outside fence and really work through his gears, before powering on by for an excellent 16.66 win. The other three winners for Tony were all over the 350m distance, with Bernardo Bowl (19.44), Lil Pirate (19.55) and Willow (19.42) all going particularly well.
Tuivasa was at his very best for Damien Smith, with the black dog putting on a fantastic display of speed to win his grade 6 event over the 300m trip. Having raced in Free For All races in Victoria, he was particularly well-graded in the race and it showed in the market as he started an unbackable favourite. It was all smooth sailing for the race, as he left box four quickly and glided to an early lead, before proving far too good. He won easily by two lengths in a fast 16.67 and you would think he might have something to say in the Murray Bridge Straight Track Cup which isn’t too far away.
Dog to follow: Flaming Galah - Had his first look up the straight on Tuesday and ran a beauty, despite finding some trouble in his race. From box seven over the short trip, he left well but was crunched and had to check off heels, losing a couple of lengths. He is worth following.
Friday (One-turn)
Kellie Watson would have certainly enjoyed her Friday afternoon at the Bridge, landing her first winner as a trainer since January 2021! It’s a new litter that she and Noel Watson are working with and it was a breakthrough win for the litter when Danyo’s Boar (Fernando Bale x Danyo’s Sarah) got the job done on Friday. After a handy debut run the week prior, the brindle dog showed some benefit from the experience. From box five, he jumped well and earned himself an early lead. He was doing it nicely in front and despite being challenged midrace, he was just simply too good, as he held them easily and won in 22.72. A very tidy win and a reward for a lot of effort for Noel and Kellie Watson!
Barry Stewart has got his chaser, Fantastic Tommy, flying at the moment, with the black dog making it two straight since returning from a spell. He had box seven for his first look at Murray Bridge over the 395m and started a red-hot favourite for the event. He wasn’t the best to leave the boxes, but quickly mustard down the outside and worked his way to the lead. Once he hit the front around the turn, it was all over as he never looked like getting caught, running away for a sharp 22.58 victory.
Kiah Hurley landed a training double for the afternoon, with Show Me Bucks being the first of her two winners. From box six in the fast class of the day over the 395m, he was led early but was able to barge his way to a clear second as they went into the turn. In the straight, he started to make ground, before launching late and winning by a nose in 22.44. The massive Kanji Service made it two straight here in South Australia when he made the most of box one over the 455m trip. He was a tad slow to go and was led early, but mustered hard along the rail and pushed his way to the lead. Once in front, he did things nicely and won relatively comfortably, with a slick 25.67. A good day out for Kiah!
Dog to follow: Paramount Ace - He had his second start over the 455m trip and I thought he was pretty good, getting beaten a length by his brother. I suspect he will line up again next Sunday and he will be winning one shortly.