The Bridge Weekly - ‘Chegia puts on a clinic’
Race 1 and an interesting grade 6 kicked off a stellar card at the Bridge. It was a very even market with no clear cut favourite, although the reserve in Vontae Mack did receive a bit of support. Canya Thunder got over from box 5 and put a couple lengths on the field early before Lana Roads got around them and they declared war. It was a terrific tussle around the bend before Lana Roads took over. As they approached the straight Lana Roads looked home before Cash Storm made a monster run late and put in a huge dive. After a long wait, a dead heat was declared! A terrific race to kick us off. Race 2 and Burn Time started a super short favourite in the first heat of our distance championship. The race was reshaped when Springvale Shine flew out from box 4 to lead and Power Stone out of box 2 put the hot favourite out of action going into the first turn. Power Stone took over mid-race from Springvale Shine and looked to be going well. As they approached the turn, Springvale Anna got into a position and started to loom up before eventually taking over from Power Stone in the home straight, claiming a nice win with Burn Time running well into the second. Race 3 and the second heat of the distance championship, with another newcomer to SA in Fantastic Radley stepping out for the first time, but the money was all for Bedrock Fred who is getting used to this journey. Barbados Express jumped well from box 5 and put a bit of pressure on Fantastic Radley early. As they went down the back midrace, Fantastic Radley went whoosh and took over from the leaders, putting an ever-growing gap on them. He waltzed in for a huge win, setting a new track record of 38.65! Race 4 and the last heat of our distance championship, with a fascinating race on paper between Gary’s Miracle and Just Wins Boss. Gary’s Miracle led the race with Just Wins Boss not far behind her. Just Wins Boss looked to be getting close to her on the home corner but Gary’s Miracle took off to win in a sharp 39.06, with New Year Tears running home for second.
Race 5 was a grade over the 530m and we saw the very well placed Agent Hamish stepping out in a non-penalty grade 6 race. He jumped at $1.28. It was a total one-act affair as the race was over after about 3 meters when he led. He ran a terrific 29.60 and won by many lengths. Race 6 was an absolute belter of a race, with Danyo’s Wylie starting a warm favourite ahead of a well-backed Spring Vinnie off the 7. Victa Caleb led the field initially before Danyo’s Wylie got outside of him. Unfortunately, a bit of carnage between the leaders opened the door for the Victorian visitor in Stiff Wind to get underneath and hit the front. Unluckily for his backers, the super-strong Fantastic Shell lobbed behind and came storming all over the top to land a terrific win and a double for Ozzie Chegia. Race 7 was another super race over the 455m trip. The Victorian visitor Coco Nova led the field early and stayed off the fence, which allowed Rushes to get underneath her and use the red box perfectly. As they came around the bend, Coco Nova fanned off and Rushes sailed on by, taking a race-winning lead as he posted a super-fast 25.20. Another terrific race for the 8th of the night saw the Victorian rocket in Bulleteer start favourite from the 8 box. The consistent Hali’s Girl jumped the best and cut left hand, taking out a couple dogs with her. This opened the race for the favourite to zoom on past and take a nice lead going around the bend. Spofforth came into the race very nicely around the bend and lobbed behind Bulleteer before surprisingly going past it and claiming a terrific win in 25.46. The Spofforth of old seems to be back.
The inform Snakebite Me started a very strong favourite in the 9th off the back of some terrific Gawler form. Boundin’ Baby led them up after firing out from the boxes and set the pace down the back. Snakebite Me loomed up on the outside but as they approached the turn, Boundin’ Baby started to veer off and this opened the door for Foresaken to rail up underneath. From there, Forsaken did what he needed to and took over, using the rail perfectly to go through and score a terrific win. An even field took part for the 10th on the card with a relatively strong grade 5 over the 530m. The favourite of the race Alfieri, used box 1 perfectly to lead, holding out the rest of the field. He put a couple lengths on the field down the back and kept this margin the entire way home, landing a solid 29.85 victory, not a bad effort for the 4yo! Jack’s Knight started a warm favourite in the 11th and looked one of the best-drawn dogs all week, with two wide runners outside him. He jumped well to lead the field and never looked like getting beaten, scoring in a very nice 25.58. Zinfandel Boris was an eye-catching second behind him but his box manners let him down again, his future looks like it will be over 600m. Punters rallied for the last on the card, backing Terrific Keith from $3 into even money. They very quickly had a smile on their faces after he jumped in a neat 8.01, leading the field and holding the second favourite Raging Redline. A couple of nervous moments around the turn as Time Striker clipped his heels, but Terrific Keith was classy enough to pick himself back up and score a super win in 25.56. This capped off an amazing training effort from Sellicks Beach trainer Ozzie Chegia. Terrific Keith made it four wins for the night for Ozzie and what made this even more amazing was that Ozzie only has 5 race dogs in work! Funnily enough, his fifth dog and new edition to the kennel Newbury, was nominated for the night but did not get a start. Well done on a great night Ozzie!
Dog to follow: Burn Time - A top chaser who came over for a crack at the distance championship. He had no luck from box 1 and copped a few decent whacks. He’s not really known for his staying abilities off the arm and I thought his effort was very good, albeit in one of the easier heats. I think he will be a good bet next week in the final if of course he is good odds, but he should be, as Fantastic Radley should start a super hot favourite. Box 8 will be perfect for Burn Time and I would expect a very good run next week.
Pic: Fantastic Radley on his way to a monster first up victory in SA
Credit Kurt Donsberg Photography