Rushes Raw Raving with Red
Three outstanding heats of the Group 3 South Australia Derby were run at Angle Park last night, with three equally mighty impressive winners thrown up. The first heat went the way of the up and coming Rushes Raw, who worked hard to overturn a hot favourite in Shot Of Red, running 30.71 ahead of the Victorian, Korda who was fantastic in second. Heat two was red hot and the performance of Hector Fawley was simply stunning, after he looked a $1.10 chance hitting the first turn, before seemingly having no chance after he found trouble. Despite this, he was able to pick himself up and wear down the leader, running 30.62. The last heat went the way of Multi Matt, another Victorian with good pace. He handled the track wonderfully and his early pace proved telling as he held off another $1.50 favourite in the form of Deadly Class, running 30.67.
The final will be very strong with a significant Victorian presence in the race, but one local that will be out to stop them is Rushes Raw, who has come away from the box draw in a nice position, drawing the converted box one. His trainer Kim Johstone is quite happy with box one, whilst brimming with excitement to be in the final.
“Everyone kept asking me before the box draw what did I want, and I kept saying one! Then he drew one and I was happy, but the two (Deadly Class) wants to rail quite badly. In reality, whatever box you draw in these type of races you just have to jump well and do everything right.” said Kim Johnstone
The heat run was fantastic from the black chaser, as he jumped beautifully before having to do it tough outside of the improving Spring Honour. As they hit the home turn, class and strength started to kick in as Rushes Raw powered on by, winning by four lengths. Kim was understandably quite thrilled with the effort.
“I thought it was super in the conditions. Knowing his little personality, I was very worried for him, but I was very very happy with it.”
“I’m never confident until their over the line, I didn’t know what the one (Spring Honour) was like but I was just cheering him on!”
“I think the one was tracking off and they were bumping a bit. I think he’s (Rushes Raw) still a little unsure of how to get past dogs, but he got past!”
It’s been quite the story from Rushes Raw, who has become a revelation since joining Kim’s care. Previously from Victoria, he had shown glimpses of ability but a run of outs saw him relocated to South Australia. After starting off with some flying runs over the short course, he has continued to get better and has handled the rises in distance with great ease.
“Clinton Alleway bought him in a package deal with a couple of other dogs. He asked me to take him with For The Thrill and the sweetener was this one (Rushes Raw). It was just a coincidence I think!”
“He came over for the juveniles because he was so young. We took him to Angle Park and he trialled decently, then he won, then he won again in 19.20 or something and we were like, woah! It was a bit of a surprise, then we took him to Murray Bridge, then came back to Angle Park and that’s where we stayed.”
In terms of the dog to beat in the final, Kim rates Hector Fawley as the one, after his enormous effort in the heat and the week prior.
“Hector Fawley. He was a huge run, I actually caught him!”
