The Bridge Weekly - Hot weather, Hot times
An early start for race 1 on a hot Friday morning. We saw the Rasmussen camp unveil a very well bred first starter in Fleurieu Flyer, which had drawn the red, whilst the favourite Gemtree Apollo was in the 8. Fluerieu led them out in a neat 5.12 early split and she looked to have the race as she led by 4 lengths around the turn. That was until the rough outsider of the small field, Danyo’s Shanks, picked up some serious pace and came home with a wet sail to land a 3 length win. Race 2 saw Allinga Grin jump a $2.50 favourite, which was off a slightly disappointing run up the straight on Tuesday. Despite that, the black bitch zoomed out in a 4.97 early split and even though she went wide on the turn and straight, she still clocked at 22.31 run. She is definitely a bitch on the up and should hopefully go on with the job from here. Victa Buzz was the first heavily supported runner of the day, jumping a $2.50 favourite after opening up $5. She was first up for a few weeks after some neat Angle Park runs and had drawn box 2. Allinga Frost led them up with Buzz on his outside. Buzz eventually took over and went wide down the straight, it left the door open for Kakariki who came storming home on the rail however just missed, Buzz winning by a neck in 22.27. Blazing Strings led early in the 4th on the card, with a speedy 5.02 early split. Unfortunately she gave the race favourite Burn The Box a beautiful cart into the race and he took over to land a 22.12 win which was a PB for him.
Max Dynamo, a newcomer to SA and most likely here for the Murray Bridge Cup, went around an unbackable favourite in the 5th. He showed why after displaying a touch of class to win his race, Allinga Jess crossed him from the outside and he had enough smarts to whip around and pick her up with ease, winning in a fast 22.02. He has shown plenty of ability in Victoria and looks to have a nice future here. A highly anticipated match race came in race 6, Hukanui Lady a short favourite off the red with another new dog to SA in Max Voltage a close second favourite from box 6. The ‘Lady’ showed her class early in the race, she missed the jump a touch, however mustered up underneath the field to lead and win by 2.5 lengths over Max Voltage. Both of these dogs look destined for a crack at the Cup in a couple weeks and should be competitive. Race 7 was essentially our open grade over the 395 trip and Force To Excel was dominant in his win, he had to work hard early and show some grit to cross over the early leader in Allinga Ollie. Force To Excel stormed away to land a great win with a 5.01-22.07 run.
Race 8 was a grade 6 over the 455m journey. Max Warrior for Lauren Harris was able to clear the field from box 8 and went on to win in a nice 25.51. The flying Spring Vinnie started a hot favourite in the 9th, off the back of some very nice runs since his return to racing. He showed why with a flying 7.98-25.13 run, stamping himself as a serious contender for this year's cup. It’s been a good training effort from his master Greg Board, with this dog having a serious injury that kept him off the scene for 4 months. The last race was a hot little grade 5 over the 455m trip, with a couple of these dogs pressing their claims for a tilt at the cup. It was an even line down the back with all the dogs desperate to find the lead. Dr. Puma had the inside and was able to give them a shove, which presented a 5 lengths lead to him turning for home. He looked home for all money, however Max Hombre had picked himself up after getting strung up in the interference and rocketed home to the nab Dr. Puma on the line for a superb win. This capped off a super day for the Lauren Harris kennel, with 4 winners. She looks to have a very nice team heading towards the Murray Bridge cup.
Dog to follow: Shavano - Tough going this week, aside from the obvious it was hard to find one. I do think Shavano will win either next week or the week after over the 455m journey. He’s a rocket up the straight and I think the 455m is much better for him compared to the 395m because he has time to wind up and hit the front before the turn. He showed a great turn of foot before finding trouble as they approached the turn. He looked a bit lost in the home straight as well. Hopefully he can draw either box 1 or 8 next week and he should be very hard to beat.
Next week is the last opportunity for dogs to have a hit out before the Daish Irrigation and Fodder Murray Bridge cup so I expect to see some quality fields. I would suspect the bigger kennels from the Gawler/Lewiston region will be making a trip down, and potentially a couple of the Mount Gambier trainers. A very exciting 3 weeks awaits us!
Racing next Friday (26a/2/21)
Grade 6 final - 455m
Maiden - 455m
Mixed Grade 455m
Pic: Max Dynamo walking to the boxes for this first SA start
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography