Sizzling heats set up cracking Murray Bridge Cup final.
Sizzling heats set up cracking Murray Bridge Cup final.
After a 24-hour delay due to South Australia’s unusually hot March weather, the field for the 2024 Group 3 Daish irrigation and Fodder Murray Bridge Cup is set after six heats were run on Tuesday night.
A high-quality field will contest the final with an excellent mix of local and interstate chasers progressing through the heats with strong performances.
The first heat was taken out by Victorian raider Will Vanson which is trained by Chloe Van De Maat and owned by race caller James Van De Maat.
While drawing unfavorably in box eight, the lightly raced chaser was able to work his way around the field before winning in 25.83 and finishing nearly four lengths ahead of Supreme Sword for Tony Hinrichsen who ran on into second.
It was career win number four at start number six for Will Vanson and has drawn closer to the rail with box three in the final.
Heat two was taken out by a SA newcomer in Chapel Road which is now being trained by Kiah Hurley.
Returning to racing for the first time in four months, Chapel Road was very well supported in betting and opened as the favourite from a box three draw.
Showing plenty of early speed, Chapel Road was able to get onto the rail and kick away opening up a two-length advantage on the turn and held it down the straight before winning in 25.57.
In heat three, another Victorian chaser with strong South Australian ties claimed the heat with Divine Nature for trainer Matthew Lanigan which is SA bred and owned by the Bartholomew’s of Mount Gambier.
From box eight, Divine Nature settled third behind the leading pair of Long Haul and Paua Of Silence but when Long Haul shifted wide on the turn, Divine Nature was able to swoop through and win by a length in 25.60.
Fantastic Spike for Liz Chegia finished in second and produced an eye-catching run as it stormed home to run 25.68 which was the fastest second place finish and secure its place in the final.
The fourth heat saw Adhana Rico return off a short break and produce the fastest time of the night in winning in 25.51.
From box two, Adhana Rico quickly powered through onto the rail and was never in trouble in winning by three lengths from a fast finishing Hooked On Love who also progressed through to the final.
Heat five saw the recent picket fence form of Federal Flash continue as he made it five straight wins at The Bridge in winning his heat from box six.
From the wide draw, Federal Flash was able to cross over the other early speed runner in Black Viper and create an advantage to the first turn.
With clear running, Federal Flash kicked away wining by three and a half lengths in 25.66.
The final heat of the night was taken out by the Tracie Price trained Wild Banker which gave the Mount Gambier based trainer two runners into the final.
From box eight, Wild Banker powered to the early lead finding the front just ahead of Federal Outlaw and Jukebox Duke.
Wild Banker kicked away getting an advantage into the long straight and winning by two and a half lengths in 25.56 with Dash Of Blue powering home for second for Richard Pearce.
With the mix of form lines,, it shapes as an intriguing final next Sunday night for the Group 3 final!