SA's best on display for epic Thursday night card
Our final night meeting for a while and Danyo’s Charlie kicked things off as the night's hotpot. From box 1 with a few wide runners outside of him he looked a put it/takeout job. The race went to plan early with Charlie finding a comfortable lead and Gary’s Miracle finding his back. Gary’s Miracle never shirked the task but Charlie was too good and landed a deserving win. The second was an intriguing little maiden over the 455m. SA newcomer Adele’s Entity started a drifting favourite from box 2. The race was over early, with Adele’s Entity going like a rocket and putting a space on the field, clocking a ripping 25.38, all the way victory which is sensational for maiden grade. She certainly has improved off her Victorian form so a credit to Adrien Chevalier, he should have some fun with her. Race 3 and a Rasmussen victory looked likely, with the team having 4 of the dogs in the race. George The First was able to find the front and arguably looked home, given his strength. Victa Haydyn loomed as a threat mid race and in the straight was able to knuckle down and get past George The First, clocking a fast 29.64. A unique feat with the first four belonging to the Rasmussen runners as well. Race 4 was the showcase of the night with our best 3 stayers doing battle over the 680. Fantastic Radley started his customary $1.15 price and like every other week, no real cause for concern as led the entire trip in 38.80, which made it 10 on the bounce for the Ozzie Chegia trained chaser.
Race 5 was a belter with Zipping Sultan starting the punters pick from box 8. The Mount Gambier rocket in Aston Hayato led the field as expected and set a frantic pace in doing so. As they approached the line it was a real tight finish with Allinga Ollie and Major Major getting extremely close, before Major Major got the bob in and landed his first victory since January. Certainly been in and out over the last 6 months but just maybe this is the start of a big campaign? Fingers crossed. The sixth saw Fantastic Victor start a well backed favourite in a pretty strong race. Victor nearly tripped over after the boxes opened and that ended his race, whilst Charlie Brother and Plumber cleared out and went toe to toe up the back. It was a great tussle with Charlie Brother eventually taking over. He looked good in the straight but Came And Went made terrific headway and got close to Charlie, but left it too late, Charlie Brother landing a city winner for Nicole Price. Loved the run of Came And Went, he’s definitely building into his career. Race 7 and this was fair dinkum, could have easily passed as a feature race final. Gemtree Maximus started as a very well backed favourite. In a race that asked for the leader, Gemtree took it upon himself to fire out and find the top. He gave Rhyme Nor Reason a cart over in the process as well, but Gemtree was too sharp, going from go to woah in an emphatic display. A BON 25.36 victory and now… the question on everybody's mind, can he replicate it back at Angle Park? I suspect we will know soon. Race 8 was the grade 6 final over the 455m and it was a beauty. Victa Reid jumped well to lead but again just got outpaced and put out of the race. Aston Olenna capitalized and shot around the outside with his blinding speed. He was uncatchable out in front and landed the heat and final double. Tidelands was enormous in behind and so was Victa Reid, who is begging for further now.
Photo: Major Major lands his first victory since January in a terrific return
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography
Two Jabs made his circle debut, starting an even money fave in the ninth. Springvale Maddi sizzled out of the boxes, leading in a sharp 8.06. The rest of the field struggled to keep up with the pace and Maddi just kept on going, landing an unopposed 25.65 victory. This bitch has set the standard pretty high for herself, not many win the maiden and then grade 6 on the city meeting! Race 9 saw a heavily backed commodity in Coorong Cash, which came in with super form. He led comfortably and was never going to lose from their on in, clocking a dynamic 7.99-25.53. Burn the Box ran a bottler in behind and I would love to see him have a crack at the 530m. It’s Smudgy was smoked from $4 into even money for the 11th, drawing the coveted red. It wasn’t an easy watch early with a bit of pressure from the outside, namely from Lily Pad. Smudgy kept on driving and eventually got to the front, before saying ta da and putting a break on the field. It was all over from there, Smudgy landed the cash and so did the punters. An even race to end the night, with a grade 6 over the 455. Shim Cam left the best and hit the front with Lektra Boogie chomping at its heels. Lektra Boogie stuck to the rail and as they turned for home the heavens opened, with the rest of the field fanning wide. Boogie waltzed in for a pretty neat 25.49 victory.
Dog to follow: Springvale Maddi - I am sure this bitch will win a very nice race or two in her career. She is out of the next litter to some very sharp animals in Thunder On and Springvale Shine. Already she has shown the ability to be dynamic at both ends with perfect box manners/speed and strength to match. Improved 5 lengths on the clock from her maiden victory and rarely do dogs win their maiden and then grade 6, particularly on the city circuit. Can confidently follow her for the next period of time, knowing exactly what she will dish up.
Best Bet (Wednesday straight track) - Dorrigo Mclaren (Race 3, Box #6)- Grand old chaser that is really racing well at the moment, has been mixing distances and tracks but think the 350m straight will be his jam. Has drawn a moderate field and should be going very close.