Stamenkovic, Price enjoy big weeks at The Bridge
Tracie Price Scores Another Treble at The Bridge
Tuesday Meeting (Straight track)
Bosko Stamenkovic enjoyed another brilliant day at the track, going one better than last week and collecting four winners for the meeting. Footrot Fender knocked off his grade 6 over the 350m trip with an effortless victory from box two. He came out quickly and fired to the front early, which was essentially race over from there. As the race went on, the margin extended and the end result was a five length win in 19.31. So Be It then took out a mixed event over the 300m trip, winning very comprehensively. He pinged out from box four and went straight to the lead, moving to the rails midrace. At no point did he look in danger, as he strolled home for a fast BOD 16.60 victory. Marindah City then returned from a two month spell and put in a strong performance to win over the short trip. From box three he jumped well and was given plenty of room to move early. Midrace, he was outpaced and needing to do some work, but he responded accordingly and put the head down, before getting the lead back and winning in 16.83. The day finished with Magical Friend winning his seventh career race from just nine starts, putting together an impressive display of speed from the 300m boxes. He was slow to go from box seven, but with a bit of room to move, he powered through his gears and worked to the lead halfway up. Once in front, he extended the margin and won in 16.82. A well deserved day for Bosko and his team!
One of the highlights of the afternoon was a super strong mixed 3/4/5 race over the 350m distance, with a strong field assembled. In a race full of quality, it was the Lester Harris trained Drive The Jack who proved to be far too good. From box seven, the black dog was given plenty of room to work with after he left the boxes cleanly and he made full use of this. With the field well spread apart, Drive The Jack was overtaken in front halfway up and with some work to do, but as they approached the 100m mark, he clicked through another gear and made good ground. Towards the line he found a clear margin and went through the finish strongly, winning in commanding fashion with a good time of 19.51. He has really proven himself to be a straight track specialist in recent times!
Friday Meeting
Tracie Price had another big afternoon out at Murray Bridge, helping himself to a trio of winners. It was the perfect start for Price, with Aston Verona putting together a commanding effort from box one over the 455m trip in the first race. From the inside draw, the white and blue bitch went straight to the early lead. Heading into the turn, she had a two length margin and was travelling well. At the top of the straight, she was feeling the pressure coming, but with a bit of grit and determination, she kept the challengers at bay and won well in 25.76. Next up was Mooball, who got the job done as favourite from the 395m boxes. From box six, she burnt to the lead and once she was in front, it was light work for the black bitch. At no point was she in any trouble, going on to win by six lengths in a fast 22.27. Compton Daisy rounded out the card and the treble for Price, winning from box two over the short distance. She jumped well from the inside and powered to the lead early. At the top of the straight she only had a small margin in front, but was able to power away late and extend the margin, going on to win in 22.44. Tracie has certainly got the team flying!
It was great to see Les Stewart claim a winner on Friday, with Spice Boy ensuring it was a successful drive down. Stepping out from box two over the 395m distance. The fawn dog came out of the boxes well, but so did the rest of the field and a hot run to the first turn ensued. Despite being strung up for a couple of strides, he was able to burst his way through to a clear third going into the turn. A bit of luck at the top of the straight meant that he could power through to the lead and once that happened then he was in no danger, running away to win well in 22.37. That was career win number 6 for Spice Boy and that effort most certainly would have given Les a smile!