San Lorenzo Dominant In Grade 6 Heat
With just the one meeting at the Bridge this week, a good strong 12 race card was drawn for the Sunday night meeting.
Maximum Refusal continues to be the most consistent of greyhounds, notching up win 22 on Sunday over the 680m journey. It was just a small field with Me Same You starting a warm favourite. From box six, Maximum Refusal was able to leave the boxes well and help himself to the lead. Up the back straight, he led by a few lengths and looked in control. After fending off a slight challenge from the chaser behind as they straightened up, Maximum Refusal kicked clear again, winning in 39.72. Certainly not bad for a dog that's four and half years old!
Lauren Harris enjoyed a nice night with a couple of winners. The highly talented San Lorenzo was excellent on his way to a completely dominant 10 length romp over the 455m trip. After finding himself a surprising leader from box four, the black and white chaser was able to quickly set up a nice buffer over the rest of the field as they hit the turn. From there, his strength and class went into total overdrive as he just dropped his challengers, storming away in a quick 25.61 (BON), which on a freshly harrowed track is a top effort. Breaking 9 seconds for the run home says he wasn’t slowing down, so it will be good to see him over a longer trip in the near future. Next up was the South Australian newbie in the form of Manuka Boy, who certainly came over here with good credentials having run 29.64 at Sandown Park before. He drifted in the market prior to the race but class shone through in the end. He was fairly away and copped a huge bump on the turn, costing him around four lengths. From there, he was able to balance up and storm home, getting the nose down at the right time in an absolute thriller.
Spiteful resumed for its first up run from Victoria for her first start under the care of Jack Trengove. After leaving the boxes fairly from out wide, she mustered nicely and moved herself into a threatening position. Approaching the turn, she was stuck three wide which is always a precarious position, however she handled it fine, staying wide and continuing her move. In the straight, she really cut loose, getting herself to the lead and winning nicely in 22.98. It was a good effort and she will clearly relish the 455m trip. Jack had another winner in the form of Redeem A Prize, who defeated a handy field over the 530m trip. After stepping cleanly, the black bitch found herself in a good spot, third on the fence. From there, she barged her way to the front as they turned for home, before winning in 30.20.
Thanks Joan (Barcia Bale x Hot Sophie) broke her maiden in excellent fashion on Sunday night. After what was a sound effort the week prior, she clearly learned from that and improved immensely, leading all the way in a sharp 22.70 from box two. She is the first of Hot Sophie’s progeny to hit the ground and obviously her first winner, with Hot Sophie of course taking out the Murray Bridge cup a few years ago. Thanks Joan clearly has some ability, so it will be worth following her as she progresses. Her trainer, Lisa Rasmussen had another winner in the form of Canya Razor, with the black dog relishing a small field and clear air. From box four, he jumped well and had the nose in front early. Before the turn, he burnt to the lead and looked good, before running away for a comfortable win in a BON 22.43.
Dog to follow:
Orejitas - He’s put in two terrific efforts over the 455m, and is deserving of breaking through for another win. Again on Sunday, he did everything right from box six, but was beaten by a better dog on the night in the form of Karmen Kristy. Orejitas kept trying and was very good in defeat. With a soft draw next week, he will certainly take some beating.