Terrific Keith makes it 7 on the bounce
Race 1 and the first of the maidens on the card brought a 5 dog field together. Finniss Flash started a $1.95 favourite but it was Spring Flora, who jumped with a quick 7.99 first split, and went on to lead all the way in in 25.59. In race 2, it was Mallee Magic that started a short $1.60 favourite, after being truck loaded in the market on his debut. It was clear why when Mallee Magic jumped to the lead easily, before sailing away to win in a very sharp 25.31. Race 3 was an interesting grade 5/6 over the 530m with Goose Step and Departure Gate starting as the favoured runners, with both being last start winners at Gawler. Sweet Sapphire jumped well and led to the turn where Aussie Swiper railed underneath her. Aussie Swiper led into the straight but got tired, which opened the door for Power Stone to storm around the outside to win in 29.94. Race 4 was the second 5/6 over the 530m where Rhyme Nor Reason started a hot $1.75 favourite. Footrot Fernando was able to cross from the outside and find the front, with the favourite in a bit of strife. George The First made a late challenge but couldn’t pick up Footrot Fernando, who continued his good run of form.
Race 5 was another 5/6 race over the 530m and Lektra Boogie started favourite from box 8. Weblec Fury began best off the red but was in a heap of strife as Vontae Mack worked around him pretty quickly. Vontae found the front and was never going to get run down as he powered away for a terrific 29.91 victory. This capped off a nice plunge for the Rawlings camp with Vontae starting $4, after opening double figures. Race 6 was a belter of a 3/4/5 race over the 455m and Terrific Keith started an odds on favourite off his favourite box 8. He flew out in a 7.94 early split and was flying down the back, Danyo’s Charlie presented a strong challenge late but Keith was too good as he clocked an awesome 25.16 victory. This made it 7 on the trot for Keith and it started a mini kennel war between himself and Fantastic Radley to see who can maintain the longer winning streak. Another pretty even grade 5 over the 455m trip which saw Rockstar Manners start a $2.60 favourite off the back of a ripping 395m victory the week before. Crawl led early with Rockstar Manners outside him. As they cleared away from the pack, Rockstar Manners cleared out in front. The race was over a long way from home and Rockstar Manners clocked a very nice 25.54, 6L win. The eighth of the card was another quality grade 5 for the 455m journey and Meet Joe Black started favourite in an even market. Allinga Lilly and Gary’s Miracle were the best to leave from the outside. With just a moderate 8.20 early split, Gary’s Miracle was able to find the fence, which meant trouble for those behind because she is extremely hard to get past. She never was never in danger after that and clocked a very tidy 25.46 win, in a nice return to form for her.
Race 9 was a match race in the market between Came And Went and Ferocious Steve. It was box draws that proved a difference in the race, with Came And Went using the inside very nicely to lead all the way, beating Ferocious Steve by two lengths and gapping the rest of the field. Came And Went clocked a nice 25.52. Race 10 and a grade 6 over the 455m. Springvale Slick started a strong favourite off his really nice form. Slick was able to lead the field off an 8.16 first split and was never in danger, as he led all the way in a solid 25.62. Race 11 was a pretty competitive grade 6, which brought a very even market together. Victa Buzz was able to get across the field from box 8 and find the front with Stars Aligned behind her. Buzz ran off on the home turn and was getting very tired with Stars Aligned making significant ground late, but he just missed and Victa Buzz held on in 25.54. The last of the night and just the five dogs did battle over the 455. It was a very even line after the boxes opened before Boundin’ Baby got over from box 8. As they turned for home, Allinga Chloe had snuck up on the rail before she took over in the straight to land a nice 25.94.
Photo: Came And Went in the zone as he clocked a nice 25.52 victory
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography
Dog to follow: Power Stone - The three and half year old dog has found a nice bit of form at the moment. Was going really nicely at Gawler before coming to the Bridge on Thursday. He had a few dogs in front of him Thursday, but was still able to navigate a path through and pick up Aussie Swiper in the straight. Lines up in the 5/6 final next week and the way he is going he would certainly be a good chance in what is going to be a strong final.
Best Bet (Monday night) - Spanish Miss (Race 4 - Box #4) - Putting a bit of faith in the kennel here. Finds herself in a winnable grade 6 monday night and has come up with box 1. The dog outside of her will run a bit of cover so she will get every opportunity to rail up. She ran 30.20 at Cranbourne earlier this year which is humming and had one start at Gawler 7 weeks ago. It was a poor run but she's been given time so I suspect she had an issue. If she’s right to go and can get close to that 30.20 form at Cranbourne, then she should be winning this.