Smith’s Straight Track Special
Smith’s Straight Track Special
Friday Meeting
Yvonne Maxwell had a worthwhile drive up to Murray Bridge on Friday, collecting a pair of winners for the card. Over the 395m trip, Calais Magic used box eight to perfection to take out his grade 6. After a reasonable beginning, he stayed up the track and landed in second early. His midrace speed was super sharp and allowed him to work to the lead around the turn, from which point he just proved to be a bit too classy, going on to win in 22.43. From the same boxes, the impressive Dayne’s Calais defeated a strong grade 6 field and overcame box six in the process. It was a hot start from the field and the run to the first turn was competitive, but Dayne’s Calais had just enough speed to cross over to the lead. With a couple of lengths lead around the turn, he looked to have the race in control, but towards the line he did start to get tired. In a close finish, Dayne’s Calais held on by a length and ran 22.24 in the process, which was the best of the day!
Tracie Price also enjoyed a successful trip down to the Bridge, picking up a double for the day. Myall Jack was the first and took out a strong grade 4 race over the 395m trip, despite having a tricky box four. After a slightly tardy start, he was forced to work hard early and push his way through to a spot early. He didn’t get lots of room to work with after settling in third and checked off heels around the turn, before peeling wide. At the top of the straight, he was lengthening out beautifully and started to put in a big charge, which ultimately saw him get up to the leaders and shoot past in the last 10 metres. He ran 22.57 and given the run he had, it was a fantastic performance. Wild Banker was the other winner for Tracie, making the most of box one over the 455m trip. In a super strong fast class field, he jumped well and quickly accelerated along the rail. After getting a couple of lengths in front, he clipped the rail around the turn and seemingly cost himself the race, but with some determination and chase, he rebalanced and maintained a small margin at the top of the straight. It was a terrific finish right the way home, but in the end Wild Banker recorded a gutsy 25.80 victory.
Tuesday (Straight track)
Damien Smith’s terrific run of things continued on Tuesday up the straight, collecting another training treble, which is a great effort considering he doesn’t have a huge team in terms of numbers. The promising Jabuk was the first on the card and he won over the 300m trip. From a tricky box eight he came out running and whilst he got clear room early, he did want to move down to the rail and got in a bumping duel when attempting to do that. Despite that, he was a bit too powerful and barged his way over, before setting up a race winning lead and running away for a strong four length win in 16.91. Nangar Express was the next and he has really found his groove since coming to SA. From box one over the short trip, he started a super short favourite and it did look his race to lose. When the boxes opened, he was given all the room in the world and whilst it took a bit of time for him to build through his gears, he proved a class above after powering to the lead midrace. He went on to win by four lengths in 16.78, making it four wins from his last 6 starts. Culburra is a highly promising chaser and she completed the treble for Smith after proving way too good over the 350m journey. From box four, she left well and quickly shot to the lead. It was easy work for her from that point and she never looked in any threat, waltzing away for a comprehensive 19.13 victory which was the best of the day. A ripping day out for Damien and his team!
Clearly the performance of the day came from the Nathan Goodenough trained Paxton Dutton, who was simply brilliant when winning over the 300m trip. In a small but high quality field, the fawn dog blasted to an early lead after the boxes opened, running a flying 4.39 first split. After establishing a small lead early, he maintained that margin right througthe line and held off the challengers in the process. His winning time was a super quick 16.38, which was the best of the day and a career personal best for him. He’s been a terrific chaser throughout his career but that win confirms that he is arguably in career best form!