The Bridge Weekly
Race 1 on a fairly solid Thursday night for our provincial 1 meeting and Terrific Keith kick started the night for favourite backers. The black dog started $1.50 in a field that lacked a whole lot of depth. He flew out in a 7.97 first split, and got 4 lengths clear of Rhyme Nor Reason who was fresh off a Shane McQueen campaign. Approaching the line, Rhyme Nor Reason was making big inroads into the lead of Terrific Keith but Terrific Keith was a bit too good as he clocked a zooming 25.26 victory. Race 2 was a one act affair as Lektra Hybrid started a $2.50 favourite in the grade 6 over the 395m trip. From box 8, Lektra Hybrid was able to swoop around the field and find the lead pretty early, before going on to land a rather comprehensive 5.12-22.37 win. Race 3 was a grade 6 for the 395m journey and we saw a match race on paper after a big move for Occipital Eyes from box 1, which was $4 into even money. Occipital Eyes didn’t lead early, but used box 1 perfectly to muster through and find the front with the other favourite of the race, Lektra Boogie getting stuck out wide. Occipital Eyes proved too fast and clocked a nice 22.22 for his return. Race 4 and a grade 5 for the 395m trip. Running Gear started favourite from the perfect draw, as he had Allinga Grin drawn outside who is a mad wide runner. It didn’t matter what box the favourite had anyway, as he pinged out before leading all the way and clocking a really impressive 4.97-22.14 win.
Race 5 was a rare full field for the grade 6s over the 530m trip and Departure Gate started favourite after a terrific victory on Monday night. Rock It Barcia was the early leader in the race, but Footrot Fernando used box 8 perfectly to work around the field and find the front. After that he never looked like losing and landed a terrific 29.92 win. Race 6 was a very even grade 6 over the 455m journey. Cash Storm was best away from box 1 but Saint Sandy quickly got around her and hit the front. As they approached the turn, Colden Express worked around Saint Sandy, before waltzing away for a nice victory. Just a small field for race 7 which was a grade 5 over the 455m trip. Sudden Force jumped well and led, but Meet Joe Black landed behind him in the run. As they turned for home, Sudden Force drifted wide which opened the door for Meet Joe Black who sailed past and proved too good, clocking a strong 25.56. A really competitive race over the 455m trip for the 8th of the card with Fantastic Shell starting favourite off the 8 box. It was the boxes that shaped this result as Saint Candy used box 1 perfectly to lead the race. The super honest Jack’s Knight made it a real fight mid race, but Saint Candy just got the better of him late and clocked a really good 25.67 win.
Race 9 on the card was a small 4 dog field over the 680m trip, with Fantastic Radley starting his usual short-price at $1.10. It was a tight squeeze on the first corner but Radley came out in front, leading the rest of the way to win by just under 7 lengths in a flying 38.54s, setting another new track record. The tenth race was a 5 dog, grade 4/5 over 395m, with Power Burner beginning a short $1.45 favourite. Oakvale Thrill began in a quick 5.06 early, holding the lead around the corner from Allinga Lily. Allinga Lily and Power Burner made a strong run to the finish line but Oakvale Thrill held on by a nose to win in 22.35. Oakvale Thrill has just turned 4 but seems to have come back as good as ever this preparation. The final race of the night was an open grade 5 over 455m with no clear favourite for the race. Springvale Slick jumped a quick 8.01 and led to the home straight with Safe Drop only a length behind. On the home straight Safe Drop stuck on the rail to pass underneath the wider running Springvale Slick and run past him to win in 25.42.
Dog to follow: Occipital Eyes - He’s a dog with enormous potential, as shown with his 25.29 victory at his second ever start but went off the boil after that for a few runs. I suspect he had an issue or two as he was given a few weeks off before his return on Thursday night. The money was on and the camp was spot on, as he showed he was back to his best with a flying 22.22 win. Showed a bit of class to hunt through and use box 1 as well, which is always a sign of a nice dog. Hopefully stay sounds this prep and we can knock off a feature or two.
Best Bet (Monday night) - Aston Antione (Race 8 - Box #3) - Not my usual go but I think this is a really good chance at what should be big odds. Ran a beauty last start over the 530m, clocking an 11.85 first split which is very good. Prior to that, she was beaten by Terrific Keith, Jack’s Knight and Max Voltage which are all very good dogs. I think she has the speed to land forward and most importantly ahead of the likely favourites Safe Drop and Meet Joe Black. If she does that then she is a serious chance to hang on for a win.
Photo: Running Gear as he scorches around the 395m journey.
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography