The Bridge Weekly
Another terrific day welcomed us for 9 races at the Bridge last Friday.
Race 1 was the maiden of the day over the 395m trip and we saw one of the best backed runners you will see all week in Cawbourne Hope from box 4. She was having her first start. After opening $3.50 overnight, she was crunched into $1.50 with punters pretty confident they knew the result. Danyo’s Clint was the early leader in the race whilst Cawbourne Hope was slow away. She was able to quickly muster and push through a gap, before putting 3 lengths on the field around the turn. She then went on to win in a very tidy 22.49. Race 2 was a grade 6 over the 395, with Aston Maximus starting a clear favourite. It was an even line early before Aston Maximus swept around the field to lead. It got a bit hairy on the home turn as he had some company alongside him in Zipping Opal. Fortunately for favourite backers he was able to kick clear in the home straight and land an impressive victory, making it 3 in a row for him since coming to SA. The promising Cold Esky started favourite in the 3rd on the card. He jumped well and led the field early. As he was about to step his foot down and put a gap on the field, Fleurieu Flyer came crashing down from the 8 box and gave him a fair old hip and shoulder, resulting in Cold Esky going wide on the turn. This opened up the heavens for Aston Dotty to shoot through and pinch a small margin, which was enough to hold on and win. This gave Matty Payne his second of the day.
Race 4 was a high quality grade 5 over the 395m trip, Canya Go Wild started favourite. He very quickly asserted his dominance on the field and made it a one act affair, leading all the way in flying 22.07, with a 4.96 early split which is a rocketing run. The very consistent Runaway Lad behind him ran 22.25 himself. Slick Riot started favourite in another terrific 395m for the 5th race of the day. After what we just saw with Canya Go Wild scorching around the track, Slick Riot went even better, running 4.93-22.04 to land an effortless win. He was only second up so it is very exciting to see what level he goes to this preparation. Race 6 was a rather messy race, Boundin Baby took up the early running however, Sweet Sapphire got up on her inside and they took each other out of the race. Five Bucks Down zoomed through to hit the front but he then ran off on the turn, allowing Magic Ozzie to rail up and zoom on by, before eventually winning in a sharp 25.58.
Race 7 was a full field grade 6 over the 455m and it was a match race in the market between Wreck It Sadie and Dakota Roxy. With all dogs having a clear run, it was down to the box draw to decide this race. The in form Danyo’s Shanks (box 3) led the field with Wreck It Sadie (box 1) on his hammer. These two put a gap on the field before Wreck It Sadie sailed underneath before beating Danyo’s Shanks by under a length. The time was only 25.90 which added plenty of merit to the win by Magic Ozzie. Wreck It Sadie made it 3 winners on the day for Matty Payne which is a pretty good effort given their were only 9 races. Race 8 was a strong grade 5 over the 455m and Sudden Force, fresh off a cup tilt started favourite. The race changed complexion very quickly when Established reeled off a hot 7.91 early split which saw her lead the field comfortably. Booralite posed a small challenge to her mid race but she was far too good and powered away for a 2.25 length win in 25.57. She has come back very nicely from her time off. The last race of the day was a deadset match race. Undercut started a $1.60 favourite after coming third in the Murray Bridge cup, whilst Max Dynamo was $3.50, who had a bit of class on Undercut. Both dogs came out nicely and Max Dynamo led by a length approaching the top turn. Undercut who was underneath him checked off and lost the compass after that, which allowed Max Dynamo to stroll in, with a very quick 25.32 run.
Dog to follow: Magic Ozzie - The Black dog has really found his groove the last few runs at Murray Bridge after coming back from a few months off. He showed a lot of strength to win his race on Friday. Not sure where he goes from here, I suspect he might have or had a couple of issues which is why he has been staying on the one turn track. He has run ok before at Gawler and Angle Park. I would love to see what he can do over the 500m trip if he goes to the city for a crack, he is certainly racing well enough.
Racing next Friday (26/3/21)
Grade 6 final - 455m
Special Event (NP) - 530m
Tuesday Preview
10 Races up the straight track this Tuesday. We have grade 6 heats over the 300m and heats over the 350m with a few nice types in these. Blue Tick Fern heads to the straight track for the first over the 300m in a grade 4/5, she has run some races in the city and this looks pretty winnable for her.
Best Bet - (Bangor Lizzy - Race 10, Box #4) A nice bitch who is having her third back from a solid Victoria campaign. She is first up for a month so taking on a little bit of trust, but she is better than the rest of these and with a clear run should be winning.
Picture: Aston Dotty railing hard to land a very deserved win
Kurt Donsberg Photography