State National Sprint Championships Heats Preview
The SA State National Championships come to Murray Bridge for the first time and kick off with two fantastic heats for the Sprint series on Thursday night over the 530m trip.
Heat 1 jumps as Race 6 on the program at 8:28pm and is headlined by current 530m track record holder Fantastic Shell for Ossie Chegia who has been on fire at the track of late. She has a tricky draw in box 5 but if she can begin well, she has the pace and class to find a good position into the home straight and will be strong to the line. 2021 Shane McQueen winner Rushes will be looking to continue that winning form for trainer Lisa Rasmussen. He can sprout wings on the home straight to produce big wins and box 3 likely to help him find the rail from which he can launch a fast finish – keep an eye out for him in the last 50m! Normally box 6 would give connections some concern but Rhyme Nor Reason for Lauren Harris has won 5 of 8 starts from the green which would give them some confidence heading into this. Form has been steadily building over the past month and just needs some luck early to be able to put himself right in the mix. Another who comes into this with good form is Oakvale Style for Nathan Wilson who has won her past two starts in Mount Gambier in impressive fashion after some solid performances in Victoria. Oakvale Style has drawn the pink here where she has won once and placed twice from 3 starts and has the class to skirt around any congestion on her inside then produce a big run home.
First Four prediction: 3,5,8,6
Heat 2 is race 7 on the program jumping at 8:52pm and is another great field with plenty of chances. Terrific Keith has been what his name suggests over the past couple of months for trainer Ossie Chegia with 9 wins from his last 11 starts. Terrific Keith had his first go over the 530m distance at the Bridge last start for a third placing and will only improve after that first showing however and does have a tricky draw from box 6. Danyo’s Charlie returned to the winner’s list for Lauren Harris with a very handy win over the 530m distance last start in 29.72s. The XXX dog has plenty of early pace to lead this however, box 4 does present a challenge so will need to step cleanly and pinch a break on this field. Tony Rasmussen’s Goose Step has been knocking on the door to claim his first win over this trip with 3 second placings in a row and just missed out by a nose in his last outing. He/She is drawn for another bold showing in box 3 and looks a consistent type who will be thereabouts when it matters. Speaking of consistency, Michael Stewart’s Gary’s Miracle is rarely out of the placings over any distance she contests at Murray Bridge with wins coming over the 300m straight up to the 680m! If she begins well and finds room, the field will be up against it to run her down however, for all her good form is yet to place from box 5 but is more than capable of changing that record here.
First Four Prediction: 6,3,4,5