The Bridge Weekly Review
A quick shout out to Kurt Donsburg for the fantastic job he has done in writing up these reviews of the Bridge over the last period of time, hopefully we can do half the job that he has done!
With the recent move to Friday afternoon racing at the Bridge, we were treated to another quality meeting, with cool and very blustery weather conditions, with the track in great order.
Pic: Slick Riot for trainer Lisa Rasmussen finding a late kick to hold off a fast finishing open grade field over the 395m.
Credit: Kurt Donsburg Photography
Race 1:
Matthew Payne had the first starter and very well backed favourite Steal The Prize owned by Darren Grocke. Being the first to race out of the good race bitch ‘Blu Light Banjo’, a strong performance was expected, particularly given the run that Matty is having at the moment with the kennel in really good touch. The roughie Allinga Grin jumped best which was a surprise and crossed early. However very soon after it was the favourite who strolled up alongside and said to the others I will see you lot back at the kennel house! Waltzing in by many lengths in a quick 22.35 as the others found a bit of bother behind. Fair to say you can keep following this pup and the entire Payne kennel.
Race 2:
Runaway Lad opened a dominant favourite off the red for Nathan Wilson and deservedly so given his form since coming to SA. The only other dog in the market was Reiko Bolt for Lauren Harris, who was first up for the new kennel. Lauren has taken on board some new dogs and owners recently and this boy ran 22.66 at Warragul two runs back which is very tidy so it wasn’t going to be a walkover for Runaway Lad. When the lids opened it was Reiko Bolt who jumped very sharply and crossed the favourite to take a 5 length lead into the turn. From there it was never in doubt and he went on to win by 3 lengths in 22.40, an impressive win and I suspect the first of many in SA.
Race 3:
The third was certainly an interesting race on paper with a few chances. Spy Master opened favourite off it’s solid runs recently however there were many with a chance including Mr. Spock for Tamica Dunn which had been super impressive in his first two runs for her, whilst Wreck It Master was huge on debut up the straight with Reiko Live Wire drawing the red first up in SA. The market swung like an axe late and saw Reiko Live Wire off the map $4.80 into $2.50! It wasn’t to be for backers of the red as Mr. Spock jumped super and found the front, with Reiko on his back, the Spock kept on going though and held a margin the entire way to lob for Tamica Dunn, she has certainly got him going very nicely.
Race 4:
Race four was another grade 6 over the 395m and Oakvale Blue opened favourite, although not really suited to the shorter journey. Zabdon Avalanche was the best backed for the Adrien Chevalier kennel which is absolutely humming at the moment. Hope’s Tribute jumped the best off the inside with the big white boy Zabdon Avalanche on it’s outside, coming into the turn Hope’s Tribute got a couple clear with the others all over the shop, but as they straightened it was Zabdon avalanche who picked himself up again and rallied to nail Hope’s Tribute with a wall of dogs just behind him in an enthralling race. I’m not sure if their are many kennels going better than the Chevy and Payne kennels.
Race 5:
A grade 5 for race 5 brought together a very competitive field with some interesting runners. Chris Jaensch made the journey back to the Bridge for the first time in a while bringing his kennel star Blister, unfortunately he drew the 8 with some speedy wide runners underneath. Allinga Jess drew the red after some time off and looked to have a suitable box draw for this assignment. The market held steady before the green light flashed which led to a clean getaway from the inside brigade, Rusty Fury and Allinga Jess who matched motors early with box 1 assisting Jess in holding the lead. She took a slender lead turning for home before getting very tired late and just holding on for a gritty win in front of a wall of chasers. A great win first up for Yvonne King!
Race 6:
Race 6 brought together an interesting speed map, the two favourites expected to lead clearly in the race. Max Hombre for Lauren Harris was well supported off the 8 and rightfully so given his recent form. The lids opened and Heckle Me came out running, who is becoming very consistent with his jumps. Max Hombre picked up speed and got to him but found a bit of trouble and this gave Heckle Me just enough of a gap to hold on late in another fantastic finish.
Race 7:
The seventh brought together a very strong field, Zipping Marshall continued his good run of boxes having drawn box 1 or 2, on 6 of his last 9 runs. A couple speedstars were drawn wider with Aston Franc and Thunder On, with the later in really nice form for the Sebastyan camp. It was Thunder on who fired out of the boxes to lead by 3 lengths early with Zipping Marshall trying to build up speed down the back, as they hit the turn Marshall ran into a brick wall and Thunder On backers rejoiced! He skipped away and ended winning by a few lengths with a fast finishing Marshall behind. Thunder On is certainly in the zone and arguably in career best form!
Race 8:
Our grade 3/4/5 of the day and certainly the best race of the day, saw an even field in which any dog could win. Alfieri stepped back up to the 455 for the first time in a while for the evergreen Billy Wudarczyk and started favourite. Danyo’s Charlie was the first to bounce from box 3 and held out Power Burner who is a very sharp beginner. Alfieri got a clear air mid race however Charlie was off and gone and landed a comfortable win. He is certainly starting to find some form for owner/trainer Kellie Watson.
Race 9:
The ninth was our open grade 395 for the day and whilst we only saw the 4 pups enter the track, it certainly provided plenty of interest. On paper it looked like a match race, Allinga Ollie off a hot Angle Park run vs Slick Riot, the class dog of the field. Ollie drew first blood at box draw with box 1 and made the most of the draw by jumping to the front and to be honest it looked race over, however as they approached the turn the other 3 in the race started to close the gap with Slick Riot making particular headway to crash through the pack and hit the front. The race wasn’t done with and Ollie kicked back and looked like running Slick Riot down however it wasn’t to be with Slick Riot putting the dagger through the hearts and finding a kick late to snag the win. In the end the entire field finished within a length of each other in what was another ripping race.
Race 10:
We saw a few dogs lacking a bit of form entering this race and it was hard to get a gauge on what might eventuate, however soon after the boxes rose Sutton Frankie mustered up underneath the field to hit the front, and he went on to to jag a comfortable 5 length win in 22.59. An impressive win first up at the track which saw the Modra team walk home with a winner after a rare Murray Bridge visit.
Race 11:
The last looked another match race over the 395, Fantastic Raven which drew box 2 vs Sutton Daisy in box 5. Raven has been jumping well and going quickly over 515 but just finding the last 100m a bit tough lately, so it looked good placement on paper to drop her back to the 395. Daisy was well supported all day with the thinking that she may cross Raven and be hard to catch. When the lids opened it was Claretown Magic who showed the early speed and led the favoured runners. Fantastic Raven lobbed behind and had to work very hard before eventually catching Claretown Magic in the final stages to walk away with a strong 22.56 win. I think it made the 11 race wait for trainer Richard Stasiak worthwhile!
A super meeting to round out the working week, with 6 of the 11 races being decided by less than a length.
Dog to follow: Demolisher - Ran home like a freight train over the 395 in the open grade and if we see him in a 455 next week I suspect he will be very hard to beat.
Racing next Friday with the first around 12pm
Next weeks features inc
Grade 6 final (395m)
Grade 6 heats (455 - final 29/1/21)