Three features producing frantic finishes
The past week at the Bridge…
Tuesday (Straight Track)
We had a solid 10 race card on Tuesday with the feature being the final of the South Australian National Straight Track Championship.
Graham Smith returned to the winners list with his new bitch ‘My Place Friday’ which has come over from Sydney. The fawn chaser was third favourite in the five dog field, with a challenging box 8 to overcome. She came out well but wanted to move down to the fence, she worked hard to get around Blue Moon Aguero before putting him away. She went on to clock a really nice 17.03 victory. A nice first up win and she looks set to win a few more.
Johnny Sargent made it a double in the first three races when his bitch, Flying Pat won the third. She was very well backed late in the piece and rightly so, as she looked very hard to beat from the red. It was a scratchy ride for punters as she was in a tight tussle with the others the entire way up the straight, but thankfully hit the front at the right time and did the job in 17.15. Cyclone Jane also won the first in really good fashion winning by 3 lengths in 16.95. Penny and John Sargent do a really nice job with their team and it is certainly no surprise to see them getting on track success.
The feature of the day went to Ben Rawlings, who landed the Straight Track Championship with his improved chaser, My Name’s Craig. It was a cracking race with Aston Olenna starting an even money favourite in the hot contest. The race got a bit ugly with the favourite coming down midrace, which allowed Urana Meat Loaf to hit the front with about 150m to go. Cue the late stormers with My Name’s Craig and He’s All Purpose producing huge late runs to get past the leader and run the quinella. A great effort from both hounds and both trainers, with an exciting trip up north awaiting. This also made it a double for Ben Rawlings with Ferocious Steve winning in a tight go for the sixth of the day.
Denzell Bale took the time honours for the day over the 300m trip. The new acquisition to the Dave Peckham camp proved a bit too dominant from box 1 in his grade 4/5 adventure. My Name’s Craig was the quickest (19.26) over the 350m trip with his effort in the championship final.
Dog to follow: Bumrah - A really good effort on Tuesday behind a quick dog. Seems to grow a leg up the straight and if he can just find the field in the coming weeks then he will be winning.
Sunday (1-Turn)
11 races for a monster Murray Bridge card.
Lauren Harris kicked off proceedings with Danyo’s Mercy winning really nicely in the first. It was a bustling contest but Danyo’s Mercy was able to offset box 8 to run home really well and nab Spring Piper on the line. A nice victory and she certainly has a bit upside, gradually improving each time she has stepped foot on the race track.
The Anniversary cup over the 530m trip was one of the highlights for the night and the totally airborne Fantastic Victor started a hot favourite for his first attempt at the extended 530m trip. Victor did as expected and led the race, setting a cracking pace, with a few dogs ‘off the bit’ trying to keep up with him. He got weary late and Maximum Refusal charged late, but missed as Victor took home the cup, and trainer Ozzie Chegia took home yet another feature race for the calendar year.
The super fast She’s A Hotshot claimed the Oaks for 2021 with a blistering display of pace. She was able to lead from box 3 in a hot 7.98 first split, with Little Purpose doing a bit of bollocking work behind to keep the challengers at bay. She’s A Hotshot had to find at the top of the straight, and did so like a good bitch should, holding on to claim the Oaks for Troy Murray in 25.66.
It was time for the Derby, which presented a seriously hot field. Shall Not led the field up from box 6 and set a scintillating pace doing so, creating what appeared to be a race winning margin. Approaching the turn a huge danger loomed in Rouge Player and in the blink of an eye, Rouge Player railed under and hit the front, claiming the Derby for Steven Brook. When it comes to driving to the Bridge, Brooky isn’t the most fond of it but I’m sure the win made it a nice drive home for him! Brooky didn’t have to wait long for his next winner either, with Hard Case Watson winning the next race with a stirring effort, wearing down Pepperjack in the straight.
The opening of the ‘Doyle’s Function Centre’ was a beautiful way to end two weeks of superb racing at the Bridge. Dr. Chris Doyle has been an ornament to the SA Greyhound population and it is outstanding to see him receive the recognition he deserves.
Photo: Dr. Chris Doyle and the GRSA/Murray Bridge team
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography
Dog to follow: Fantastic Keary - After a steady start to his racing in SA, I reckon young Keary is just hitting his straps again. Was terrific in wearing down Shall Not in the heat of the Derby last week, before a booming effort in the final on Sunday, covering ground and charging late - sign of a dog going well! Fully expect him to race at Angle Park next and he will be very hard to beat when he lines up in a grade 6 over 530m.