The Bridge Weekly
It was a cool night with very little wind for the second Thursday night and first City A meeting at Murray Bridge.
Race 1 was the maiden for the night over 455m. Harboring began the race as a well supported favourite. She was able to lead in a mild 8.23 early split, but then fanned off on the turn which opened up a gap for Deadly Mamba to rail through and take the lead, winning in a solid 25.56. Race 2 was the first of two 680m races for the night where we saw Tapestry Tears get backed off the map into a very short favourite after her win last week. Favourite backers were soon very nervous as Oakvale Impact led around the corner, with Tapestry Tears in amongst the pack. Oakvale Impact and New Year Tears had a terrific battle the entire race with Oakvale Impact showing his class to win, claiming a new track record of 39.06. The third race on the card was the first of the grade 6 heats. It was a very even market, but when the lids opened it was Occipital Eyes who fired out in a 7.97 early split. He put a margin on the field before Forsaken was able to get up to him and make a race of it. However Occipital Eyes was able to draw clear in the end and post a scintillating best of the night in 25.29, beating Forsaken in what was also an impressive run. Occipital Eyes looks to have a very bright future. Race 4 was the second grade 6 heat which saw a dominant favourite in Allinga Ollie. He jumped and led to the corner but favourite punters certainly got nervous as Aston Model got outside of Allinga Ollie approaching the straight. Fortunately, Allinga Ollie was able to keep his mind on the job and score in 25.55.
Race 5 was the first of the grade 5 heats and we saw the much anticipated return of Shadow Mist which was having his first start back from a stopper injury. Shadow Mist jumped well enough but was quickly challenged by quick beginner Hali’s Girl who was able to kick up and lead all the way in a sharp 25.39, paying a tidy $23. Race 6 was another very hot grade 5 heat with the two favourites being Danyo’s Wylie and Spring Vinnie. Danyo’s Wylie jumped and led the field in 7.96 with Threaten and Spring Vinnie just behind him. As they approached the finish line, Threaten and Spring Vinnie were storming home, however Danyo’s Wylie was able to hold in a gripping finish. In race 7 we saw the last of three very competitive grade 5 heats with no clear cut favourite at the jump. Aston Hayato led the field in 7.92, before Max Dynamo railed up underneath on the corner and shot off to win by 2 lengths in 25.33. For race 8 we saw a decent line up for the only 530m race for the night, where Gary’s Miracle started favourite. She jumped well, leading out the boxes, but thanks to some jamming on top of her, Diorite Fire was able to get the fly from the outside and take the lead in a matter of strides. He never looked like getting beaten and lobbed at a nice price of $14. The time was a nice 29.80 with Alfieri running a gallant race just behind him.
Race 9 was the second of two 680m and the market wasn’t very sure of itself with no clear favourite. Bedrock Fred and Barbados Express led and went toe to toe with each other, before they both got a stitch coming around the home turn. This allowed Springvale Anna to get a beautiful rails run, streaming past them both to win in 39.14. In race 10 we saw the next grade 6 heat where Allinga Road was backed into a $1.65 favourite. He was able to lead for a few strides but was quickly outpaced by Cash Storm and Another Storm. Another Storm was able to rail through and grab the lead turning for home, before Cash Storm rallied again late, although just missed. Another Storm hung on to win in 25.63, making it four wins for the Rasmussen team for the night. Race 11 saw another of the grade 6 heats with Harbour Blues very strongly backed into a $1.90 favourite. This time punter’s got it right with Harbour Blues somehow finding the rail from box 8. Beatific led the race but Harbour Blues was able to drop him with ease coming around the bend and scored a terrific win in 25.38. The last race on the card and the final grade 6 heat saw Zipping Bates start a very well supported favourite. He had to work hard early but was able to find the front and from there it was a painless watch, as punters went home a winner for the night. Zipping Bates scoring in 25.62.
Dog to follow: Mega Dossa - Not the usual type of dog I would throw in given his age, however he is a dog that has always been able to run. His last few runs around Gawler and Angle Park were terrible. It's fair to say. He trialled a sharp 22.28 over the 395m a couple of weeks ago and his run Thursday was really impressive. For a dog who needs to be on the arm, I thought it was really good the way he went about it in the middle of the field. Box 1 is his box and from the unsuitable box 4 Thursday, he was happy to work around dogs and keep pushing. Major Major who is a group class dog, was able to get in front of him in the run, but Mega Dossa was able to get past him easily, running into third. Mega Dossa is in Thursday night in the Grade 5 final but gee it’s a tough field, he should be massive odds though so definitely worth having something on. Unfortunately this is the last City A meeting at Murray Bridge for a few weeks so I suspect he will be back at Gawler and that’s not somewhere you will want to be backing him at this stage. If we can see him draw the red or an inside box within the next couple of weeks at Murray Bridge, he would be a huge chance.
Wednesday (Straight track) Best Bet - (Craggy Island - Race 9, Box #1)
A pretty tough card this Wednesday. Craggy Island was really good first up in SA last run and it was certainly no disgrace going down to Lavish Pedro. Box 1 looks good and with Footrot Fosse in the race, he should hopefully backable odds.
Thursday night Best Bet - (Sandave Vision - Race 5, Box #2)
Really looking forward to this one, I think this is a terrific field and map for her and I would be surprised if she isn’t very good odds. Dark Tides off the red will no doubt attract support and with plenty of wide/speedy runners drawn outside, I think Sandave Vision gets a beautiful run through the race. Simba/Time Striker and Allinga Grin all look unsuitably placed over 455m and they also go wide turning for home. If Sandave Vision can show that mid race pace she’s shown at Angle Park she should be right behind them and too strong late.
Photo: Oakvale Impact on his way to the boxes before his record breaking run.
Credit Kurt Donsberg Photography