The Bridge Weekly - 5 super heats, 1 hot final
Glorious conditions welcomed us to the Bridge for a monster day with the running of the Daish Irrigation and Fodder Murray Bridge Cup heats.
A maiden race kicked the card off and punters opened up their wallets early, with Gemtree Apollo being heavily backed off the red box. The field jumped pretty even however the big 36kg dog made perfect use of the red box and pushed the field aside as he sailed on through and never really looked like losing, beating Emmy Driven by 2.5 lengths. This win capped off a huge 24 hours for his trainer Paul Rehman, as his kennel star and brother to Apollo, Gemtree Maximus, took out the SA launching pad series. Race 2 was certainly an even spread, with punters not really sure where to look, three dogs hit the first split mark together, and it was the box draw which proved the difference as Magic Ozzie made use of the inside box and railed up underneath the others. Ozzie put a gap on the field, roaring away to a 6 length win in a sharp 22.27. Jervois Bruit and Allinga Ollie started favourites in race 3. Jervous Bruit showed his exemplary box manners to lead the quality field in a 4.89 early split, which allowed him to sneak a 4 length lead around the turn, with the rest of the field bunched behind. The 395m journey certainly saw him out as a fast finishing Allinga Ollie came storming home, however just missed, with Bruit winning by a Neck in 22.40. Weblec Blade started favourite in the 4th off box 1, in a relatively even field. The consistent Allinga Grin led in 4.97, however her racing manners cost her as she went wide on the turn, which opened the door for Established, who was first up for 4 months. The Cameron Butcher trained bitch railed up and took the lead, before winning by a length from a fast finishing Weblec Blade, who was an impressive run. Established won in 22.26, capping off a great training effort from Cameron.
Race 5 brought together a very even grade 5 field for the 395m trip, with Flying Clarice starting favourite from the outside. Ebby Cruiser jumped on speed and so did Victa Boris, which was certainly a surprise. They pressured each other early, before some jamming on the turn resulted in multiple dogs being significantly affected. This paved the way for Woodside Puma to hit the front, before going on to win by a comfortable margin. Race 6 was the first of the eagerly awaited cup heats, Shadow Mist started a hot favourite after being set for this race. The race changed complexion immediately at box rise with Shadow Mist and the second favourite Keenando both missing the start. Tippa took an early lead before Bold Mirage went up on his outside. Mirage looked home given how strong he is, however Rushes was able to sail on by and land a very gritty win in 25.49. Race 7 saw arguably the best dog in SA make his one turn debut, Jack’s Well. He started favourite but was absolutely no chance after a poor getaway, which opened the door for a dog having his first start in SA, Undercut. He is a dog with plenty of ability however doesn’t have the racing pattern to match, being a wide runner. He absolutely flew out in a 7.84 first split, which is the second fastest ever, with Hot Sophie holding the record. The race was never in doubt after that as he went on to win by 5 lengths in 25.26, making it two runners in the final for the Rasmussen team. The market said that race 8 was a clear match race, between Weblec Ace who made the trip over from Victoria, and Air Marshall who looked the obvious leader. Air Marshall was very strongly backed all day, from $5 into $3. It was the Marshall that lead coming around the turn, with Weblec Ace asked to make up 3 lengths. It was too much for Weblec Ace and Air Marshall was able to land a very impressive win in 7.99-25.27.
Race 9 and the 4th heat of the cup, looked one of the stronger heats on paper. Spring Vinnie, Hali’s Girl and Run Baba Run, who was another Victorian visitor all did battle. Spring Vinnie was average away, which allowed Run Baba Run to take the early lead. He had to show some real grit to fend off a persistence Sudden Force, which was on it’s outside the entire race. Run Baba Run won by a neck in 7.99-25.53. I think you can definitely make note of that early split, more so for what it says about Undercuts first split in an earlier heat. Not many dogs could lead Run Baba Run and Undercut would have led it by 2 lengths. The final heat and last chance to qualify, was not an easy one. The SA queen in Coorong Lucy had box 1, with the second favourite in 6, Zipping Zarbo. It was an even run to the first split, however Danyo’s Wylie was able to work through and lead the race, thanks to the wide running Major Havoc drawn outside of him. Wylie had a 3 length lead as he turned for home, however it was a shortening margin, with Coorong Lucy, Major Havoc and Zipping Zarbo all storming home. They all missed and Wylie hung on to win, in 8.00-25.41. Coorong Lucy was able to rail through and grab second, which was good enough for her to make the final. Race 11 was a grade 6 over the 455m trip and it was a pretty straight forward exercise in the end, with Coorong Cash able to work to the lead and win in 25.65. Oakvale Impact was a monster run behind him however, finding trouble and still getting within half a length. The last was taken out by Blazing Strings after she found the lead pretty easily. She had been busting for a win so it was very well deserved and she ran 22.33 in the process.
Dog to follow: Cawbourne Boomer - He is a fast dog that is just coming back to peak form, his run last start at Angle Park was massive and his run Friday was even more impressive. I think you could make a case to say he would have beaten Weblec Ace home had the boxes been swapped. He found a bit of trouble on the top turn and was still able to run 25.53. He will go around in the consolation of the cup next week and whilst I think he might struggle in the full field of that quality, I think his next run at Angle Park he will be winning. He is still a grade 6 there so hopefully can draw an inside box.
Racing next Sunday (14/3/21)
Daish Irrigation and Fodder Murray Bridge Cup - 455m
Daish Irrigation and Fodder Murray Bridge Cup Consolation - 455m
Special Event (N/P) - 530m
Special Event (N/P) - 395m
Daish Irrigation and Fodder Murray Bridge Cup - Box draw
- Run Baba Run
- Undercut
- Weblec Ace
- Air Marshall
- Rushes
- Coorong Lucy
- Danyo’s Wylie
- Bold Mirage
Reserves
- Sudden Force
- Gary’s Miracle
Pic: Undercut after winning his heat of the Cup for trainer Tony Rasmussen
Credit Kurt Donsberg Photography
Tuesday Preview
10 Races up the straight track this week, I think the match up of the day will be Spring Halo vs Lavish Pedro in the 7th, whilst the grade 5 final over the 300m trip provides plenty of interest.
Best Bet - (Waipahu - Race 8, Box #7) He is a fast dog who was very impressive in his debut up the straight last week. Box 7 is no dramas at all to him and I think he is just the quickest dog in the race. Should be good odds as well with a few of these dogs in good form.