Springvale Roxy Scorches Around In A Dominant 30.34 Victory
Wednesday
Fair conditions greeted us for the Wednesday time graded card at Gawler. Unusually, we started off with a 531m maiden which is rare to see, but a positive nonetheless. In a race of a lot of unknown, Montana Lace started favourite from the outside draw after an eye-catching run over 400m the week prior. They all left the boxes well, with Coco Coaster taking up the lead on debut and holding it up the back straight. Turning for home, Coco Coaster started to get a bit weary as Montana Lace moved into her work, before Montana Lace (Whiskey Riot x Roxy Rella) went straight past in the home straight, winning by two lengths in 31.56. Whilst the overall time wasn’t real quick, the run home time was handy for a bitch having just her third start and her first run over ‘500’. Trained by Don Turner, I think she might have a bit of a future, particularly given how young she is and the improvement that is expected ahead.
Paul Fagan picked up a deserved double on the card with two of his ‘Aston's’ getting the job done. Aston Marley was the first with the black bitch showing her love for the Gawler circuit. From box two, she came out nicely and sat outside the dog underneath her, up the back straight she quickly put it away and helped herself to a nice lead. From there she was never in any trouble, holding a margin the entire trip and winning in a handy 23.14. Aston Garner then rounded out the card, also winning from box two. In what was an even race, she made the early move, flying out of the lids in a hot 8.64, which saw her lead quite comfortably. After setting up a nice buffer early, Chief In Charge made a move up the back, but was unable to catch Aston Garner who held in 22.93. Well done to Paul on a good day.
Cyclone Jane was one of the more impressive winners for the day, winning in a BOD 30.87 over the 531m trip. She started favourite in the race after drawing well in box one and was able to capitalise early and find the lead. It was a rather dominant effort thereafter, as she continued to build her margin with none of the others getting closer to effort. The end result was a big five length victory with a handy run home time.
Friday
On a terrific Friday afternoon program at Gawler, we saw some flying efforts from a few different chasers.
Slim Sherman was one of those, as he notched up his first victory in six months. It was a strong masters race with Mr. Ticket starting the hotpot from box one, but an excellent beginning from Slim Sherman in box four saw him set up an early ascendency. After leading in 8.63, Slim Sherman was looking good until Mr. Ticket railed up and loomed very ominously. He looked certain to go past in the home straight, but Slim Sherman was just too good, kicking in the straight and holding a margin. It was a terrific 22.55 victory for the white and black chaser who certainly deserved it after some good recent runs.
Emerley Bruce was a big winner on Friday, getting the job done from box eight in an electric 22.56. In a tough 4/5 field over the short trip, he was able to get over from the wide draw thanks to a terrific beginning. Once Emerley Bruce got the front, he was untroubled as he won by a widening four lengths. His trainer, Jack Trengove picked up another winner with Lance Keeping also winning from box eight earlier in the day. From the wide draw, Lance Keeping did everything right, staying wide and avoiding bother, before proving too strong in 22.95. A nice day for Jack and a couple of handy performances from his chasers.
Clearly the run of the day came from the Michael Giniotis trained Springvale Roxy, who was simply lightning, winning the last of the day in an airborne 30.34. She found a race that lacked speed and looked a good chance to find the front, which is how it played out as Springvale Roxy led in a slick 3.16. After leading so comfortably, she was in complete cruise control in front, holding a big margin on the others. With a strong home to match the quick first splits it was no surprise to see her win by five lengths. She has become a great little chaser with Michael.
