Rawlings Roars at Gawler
Wednesday
We had a strong card on Wednesday at the Gawler and the day was headlined by the treble for Ben Rawlings. He brought some of his better chasers to the track and it showed, with some very impressive performances. Liquor License continued to improve, taking another positive step forward as she took out a grade 6 over the short trip. From box four, she stepped nicely and got herself to the lead. Once in front, she was never troubled and strolled home to win in 22.91. The super classy Yankee Constanza then returned off a spell and looked very well in. He drew wide with box seven over the 400m journey, but was led early by Spy Master. The class of Yankee Constanza proved too much, as he worked his way around before taking over on the turn and running away in a slick 22.77. I’m Gifted completed the treble for Rawlings, winning the last of the day from box four in a slick 22.67.
Greame Stirling had another double with a couple of the ‘Emerley’ chasers getting the job done. Emerley Wiggum was the first as he returned to form after tackling some much harder races in the city. Drawing box eight over the 400m journey is never easy, but thanks to a ripping turn of foot he was able to deal with it. Emerley Wiggum left the boxes fairly and was fourth early. Up the back straight, he really cut loose and was able to work himself up to the lead, before going straight on by to claim a terrific 22.96 win. Emerley Will made it two for Graeme, when he returned from a short spell a winner. After jumping fairly, he found himself in a sticky spot early, but a brilliant burst of speed saw him find the front as they hit the back straight. It was a gap job thereafter as Emerley Will ran away for an excellent 22.90 win.
Yyvonne Maxwell doesn’t have a big team and she unleashed a first starter on Wednesday in the form Of Calais’s Wohling (Zipping Garth x Temerity). She drew box five in an even maiden and was given a chance in the market. When the boxes opened, she came out beautifully and just straight on the rail and in the lead. It was a strong performance from there as she held a comfortable margin en route to the big five length victory in 23.37. Hopefully the first of quite a few!
Sunday
It was a monster night for local trainer Ben Rawlings who went one better than his sensational effort on Wednesday, picking up four winners on the twelve race card. After taking out both maidens with a couple of nice types in the form of Freddy Steady Go (23.27) and Whoever (23.39), it was two better class chasers that completed the four. Gondola returned after some handy efforts at Angle Park, for a crack over the 400m journey. She had box seven but was able to offset that with a quick beginning, before working her way to the lead. After that she ran away, winning in 22.94. The last was Panorama who was able to land her first 500m win in South Australia, with a quick front running effort. From box one, she went fast early and set up a good buffer on the others and ran some quick splits in doing so. Towards the end, she did get a bit weary but had done enough to win in 31.07. A great night for the Rawlings team and I am sure it would have put a smile on Ben’s face after a tough Thursday night.
Tony Lagana helped himself to a double, with Manxman and Sunshot both causing a couple of upsets. Manxman was the first and he was the second favourite from box five over the 400m journey. The white and black dog left the boxes fairly and found himself in third coming out of the turn. As they went to the turn, Manxman started to build into his work and quickly loomed as a threat. In the twinkling of an eye, he had put himself in front and ran away, winning in 23.40. Tony had to wait until race 11 to see Sunshot go around but it was certainly worth it, as he upset a handy field from box eight. It was a tricky race to find the winner, but when Sunshot found himself in the lead early then it appeared somewhat clearer. Sunshot held a slim margin over Magic Tale as they hit the turn, but looked to be holding him well with a gap to the others. Turning for home, Sunshot still looked to be going well, before Cooper Kyran came rattling home, but just missed as Sunshot won at a good price. Well done Tony!
Damien Bates always does a good job with his team and after Go Forward Bruno won brilliantly on Wednesday, Damien buttered up again with Tomato Tears lobbing in the masters race of the night. It was the last of the card so he had to wait a while but it proved worthwhile. It was a good go as they left the boxes and it got a bit messy as a result. Tomato Tears found himself near last after leaving from box four. Up the back straight, Tomato Tears showed a terrific turn of foot and worked his way through a gap to find himself in an ominous spot hitting the turn. Before long, Tomato Tears went past the leader and ran away, winning impressively in 23.45. A good win and I suspect that Tomato Tears will continue to get better with race fitness.
Another good week at Gawler and racing will continue this Wednesday.