Thursday Preview - Murray Bridge -
By The Shadow
What a sensational night of racing we have here tonight at Murray Bridge with the two finals of the State Nationals over the Distance (race 4) and the Sprint (race 6). Both finals are very prestigious events to have on your mantle piece. In the distance affair we see the clash of Sir Truculent and Fantastic Radley both are quality performers but as we all know as punters there is always a chance of an upset in finals so it makes for a good betting affair. The Sprint is certainly wide open and any of the 8 runners are capable of collecting the trophy and, as always, both races are Trifecta and First Four events.
Race 1. We start the night with a maiden with three first starters so watch the betting moves on those. I like Psychotic Babe who showed pace at her only start at Gawler finishing second, add Cawbourne Jean in the mix who is well drawn, along with two of the first starters in Yaramundi Hoover and Crying. Box up 1,2,7,8
Race 2. This is over the 455m and it’s very hard to go past Victa Buzz who has won her last four starts here in good fashion and she is our top pick. Silent Jacko showed a bit of pace here last week in a heat of the sprint add in Aston Thunder and Undercut for the First Four. Box up 1,4,7,8
Race 3. There is a lot of early pace in this event with the two main chances being Aston Hayato and Gemtree Maximus. Both are very quick early and look the leaders. Threaten will be running on strongly as will Charlie Brother. Box up 1,2,5,7
Race 4. This is the final of the Distance and Fantastic Radley has a near perfect record here with 9 wins from his 10 starts. He is the current track record holder and is in terrific form, but he will need to show his early pace as the wide draw could be his undoing. Sir Truculent is a class act when on song he is a Group 1 winner and has won over $400,000 in prizemoney, but will need to improve on his last start here. Bedrock Fred is resuming from an interstate campaign and has won here in the past. New Year Tears put in a solid effort when 2nd here last start and is a must for the minors. Box up 3,5,6,8
Race 5. Meet Joe Black proved too strong here on Monday night when winning, he has the pace to lead again and will prove hard to beat. I like one at each way value in Diorite Fire, he is well drawn here tonight and is resuming from a short break. George The First can handle his wide draw and could pinch a place. Box up 1,6,7,8
Race 6. This is the final of the Sprint and as mentioned earlier it’s a wide open affair. We will stick with Danyo’s Charlie who showed his usual early pace to lead and win here last week from box 4 and if he can clear them early he will be hard to beat. Maximum Refusal is a chance of leading the inside brigade and is amongst the better chances. Rushes has won 3 of 3 at this track and can handle his draw. Add in Fantastic Shell who hasn’t had a lot of luck in her past two. Box Up 4,6,7,8
Race 7. Aston Olenna was a last start winner here up the straight and he has been in terrific form of late. He should lead and win again in this. Tidelands has good form at Gawler and can run into the placings, along with Victa Haydn who was never out of trouble here last week when a short price favourite. Box Up 1,2,5,8
Race 8. Tough race this one so let’s hope we are in front. The chances look to be Victa Reid who has been racing well and can handle a wide draw. Zinfandel Oompa has pace and should be at each way odds. Deadly Mamba along with Goose Step are both capable of running cheeky races. Box Up 2,3,6,8
Race 9. Shavano looks one of the better bets of the night and he has been racing well up the straight here of late. He has a good record around the bends and is my top pick. Canya Razor has early pace and his recent Gawler form is sound. Add in Basman along with Victa Mikey for the First Four. Box Up 2,5,6,8
Race 10. The Rasmussen kennel had a big night here last week and they can win here with Victa Maggie who was a big winner here last start from a wide draw. She looks very hard to beat again. Burn The Box has been racing well and was a last start winner from this draw here and he is the danger. Toby West will be running on strongly. Box Up 1,2,3,8
Race 11. The Rawlings kennel has a big chance with their runner Vontae Mack drawn in box 1. He goes well over this trip and will be running on strongly. Terrific Keith is another who loves this circuit, he found trouble here last week when unable to cross and is amongst the better hopes. Box Up 1,2,5,8
Race 12. Matty Payne holds a strong hand in the final event with Aston Antoine and Aston Ability. Both are well drawn and should be able to kick up and Quinella this race. Another Storm is always a chance here and Lily Pad is capable of surprising. Box up 1,2,5,7
Best Bets
Race 3, No: 2 - Aston Hayato
Race 7, No: 5 - Aston Olenna
Best Each way
Race 8, No: 6 - Don’t Tell Lies
GRSA TEXT SERVICE
Participants are reminded, if they have not already done so, to provide GRSA with your mobile phone number to enable text messages to be sent updating you with the most current information in the industry.
KENNEL CAPERS ONCE A MONTH
The monthly Kennel Capers for August will be released today so make sure you grab yourself a copy. Remember to keep up to date with weekly updates and media releases using the GRSA website at www.grsa.com.au.
The Boy from the Bush gives his selections for tonight’s excellent night of racing at Murray Bridge.
First 4 selections –
Race 1: 8,7,2,1
Race 2: 1,4,5,2
Race 3: 5,2,1,7
Race 4: 8,5,3,4
Race 5: 4,6,7,8
Race 6: 7,6,3,8
Race 7: 5,1,2,8
Race 8: 8,2,3,7
Race 9: 3,5,2,8
Race 10: 3,8,2,1
Race 11: 1,8,4,5
Race 12: 8,4,5,2
Best Bets: Race 8, No. 8 - Victa Reid
Each-Way: Race 6, No. 7 - Rushes
Roughie: Race 5, No. 4 - Dark Tides
MURRAY BRIDGE THURSDAY (City A)
Next weeks Murray Bridge Thursday meeting features –
$3,585 Grade 6 Final – 455m (Heats 12/8/21)
$6,320 Mixed – 680m
$3,585 Maiden/Grade 6 – 530m
$5,150 Mixed – 455m
$3,585 Bitches Grade 5 – 455m
******Standby Shortcourse only run if required******
Nominations close Monday 16thAugust with GRSA at 9.00am.
GAWLER SUNDAY (Prov 1)
Next weeks Gawler Sunday meeting features –
$1,645 Grade 6 Final- 531m (Heats 15/8/21)
$1,855 Grade 5 Final – 400m (15/8/21)
Nominations close Wednesday 18th August with GRSA at 9.00am.
LOCAL NEWS
2021 NATIONAL SPRINT & DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS STATE FINALS
With a best 8 race programmed for the State Final of the National Distance it has made for an exciting affair at Murray Bridge tonight over the 680m with last years winner and Group 1 star Sir Truculent matching up against the flying Fantastic Radley who is shooting for 9 wins in a row.
Box Draw 2021 National Distance Championship State Final tonight – Race 4 @ 7.49pm:
- Miss Takiri Gino Grgurovic
- Couture Ben Rawlings
- Bedrock Fred Cherylee Barber
- Tapestry Tears Lauren Harris
- Sir Truculent Wally Harkins
- New Years Tears Ryan Tugwell
- Departure Gate Damien Bates
- Fantastic Radley Ossie Chegia
With two heats on the National Sprint last week heat winners were Rushes (30.11) and Danyo’s Charlie (29.89). With Shadow Mist the red hot favourite tonight.
Box Draw 2021 National Sprint Championship State Final tonight – Race 6 @ 8.31pm:
- Boombox Robbie Damien Smith
- Rhyme Nor Reason Lauren Harris
- Steal The Prize Matthew Payne
- Maximum Refusal Dave Peckham
- Gary’s Miracle Michael Stewart
- Danyo’s Charlie Lauren Harris
- Rushes Lisa Rasmussen
- Fantastic Shell Ossie Chegia
- Terrific Keith (1st Res) Ossie Chegia
- Silent Jacko (2nd Res) Dave Peckham
Sky Racing will also support this series with ALL States conducting their Finals tonight to be run within a 2 hour period. Ray Fewings will do the oncourse previewing of both finals and reviewing of each race. It makes for a great promotion of the series.
ANGLE PARK START UP PLAN – TRIALLING AND RACING
Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) provides the following return to racing at Angle Park schedule, that will see our first race meeting on the new track conducted on Thursday night 26th August. The schedule below incorporates an expanded trialling schedule, which hopefully provides all participants with sufficient opportunities to trial their greyhounds in a lead up to racing.
GRSA wishes to emphasise that the Angle Park venue still has a number of works elements in progress (separate to the race track), which will result in restricted access to different parts of the complex. GRSA asks for a degree of understanding from our participants as we look to have all remaining elements completed for the meeting on Thursday 26th August.
As such, the Kennel House will NOT be available for access for the trial sessions on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th August , due to continued maintenance work in that area, with the necessary temporary fencing in place to restrict access. GRSA advises trainers will need to access the race track via the Trainer Car Park ramp.
Angle Park trial sessions are listed below, with the Murray Bridge and Gawler sessions remaining as per the current schedule unless advised otherwise-
- APK TRIAL SESSION - Friday 13th August – Trials (Morning) @ 8am start FINISH ON LURE ONLY
(First two trial sessions FINISH ON LURE ONLY to allow finishing touches to Catching Pen
- APK TRIAL SESSION - Saturday 14th August – Trials (Morning) @ 7am start
- APK TRIAL SESSION - Wednesday 18th August – Trials (Night) @ 6pm start (there will be no trials at Gawler on this night – all STAT trials for Gawler will be done on the Thursday morning)
- APK TRIAL SESSION - Friday 20th August – Trials (Morning) @ 8am start
- APK PICNIC AND TRIAL SESSION - Sunday 22nd August –(Morning) @ 9am START FOR PICNIC MEETING. Trials conducted after which need to be booked. (Murray Bridge morning trials will be cancelled on this day)
- APK TRIAL SESSION - Wednesday 25th August – Trials (Night) @ 6pm start (there will be no trials at Gawler on this night – all STAT trials for Gawler will be done on the Thursday morning)
- APK FIRST RACE MEETING - Thursday 26th August – RACE MEETING (NIGHT)
- APK Saturday 27th August – Trials (Morning) @ 7am
- APK Monday 29th August – RACE MEETING (NIGHT)
- APK Tuesday 30th August – Trials (Night) @ 6pm
- APK Thursday 1st September – RACE MEETING (NIGHT)
When Angle Park returns to racing on Thursday 26th August the trial schedule will revert to –
- Angle Park Tuesday night and Saturday/Sunday morning (depending on racing)
- Gawler Monday morning and Friday morning (STAT)
- Murray Bridge Wednesday night one turn, Monday morning on both tracks and Thursday on straight track. These sessions will be monitored depending on their support. STAT will be done on Wednesday nights for the one turn while the STAT for the Straight track will be done at race meetings where possible (less than 12 races). As we move towards daylight saving in October consideration will be to have STAT for the Straight track available on Wednesday nights.
No reference has been made to Mt Gambier on this schedule as this does not affect their racing or trialling
ANGLE PARK PICNIC MEETING SUNDAY 22nd AUGUST 2021
In preparation for a return to racing at Angle Park on Thursday 26th August, GRSA will host a picnic meeting on Sunday, 22nd August. This will be a morning meeting starting at 9.00am with only named and cleared greyhounds invited to be drawn into half fields conducted every 10 minutes.
Kennelling will be from 7.45am to 8.30am. Greyhounds will be graded into events as if they had not raced at the venue based on normal grading guidelines. Distances will be 342m, 530m, 595m and 730m. All races will run into the Catching Pen
Nominations close at 9am on Wednesday 18th August and can be done via the ozchase online process or by fax.
Fields will be announced on Wednesday 18th August with all nominated greyhounds being selected.
For 4 or 3 dog fields GRSA will pay $175 for first and $50 for second after scratching’s. For 2 or less GRSA will pay $125 for first only after scratchings. GRSA will pay $20 for those greyhounds not receiving prizemoney. GRSA will pay $60 per trainer at the meeting.
For further information please contact the GRSA on 08 8243 7100.
- GRSA will conduct normal trials after the Picnic meeting has been concluded which will need to be booked through the Trial Booker or by phone. These will be open for bookings on the Thursday prior to the Picnic meeting and closing on the Friday.
Please note:
- Performances at the picnic meetings are non-penalty. Results will show up in a greyhound’s form but will not have any bearing on a greyhound’s future selection prospects.
- GRSA reserves the right to alter or change any conditions of this meeting depending on nominations received.
GRADING REVIEW PANEL MEETING ON MONDAY 16th AUGUST
The next GRP meeting will be held on Monday, 16th August at the offices of GRSA with an Agenda provided to the panel members.
FORTNIGHTLY SATURDAY MORNING MEETINGS
The next meeting will be on Saturday, 21st August at Gawler which is a Timed Graded Meeting-“Worst to Best” rating. Greyhounds graded into 3 categories. Maidens, 1-4 wins & 5 or more wins. Specific grades of greyhounds are not considered except for Maidens. Races–N/P with Pathway Prizemoney. Reserves will be determined by Grader. There will be No Guarding. Refer to “Time Based Grading” published conditions.
• Nominations close Wednesday, 18th August at 9.00am.
The meeting after this will be back at Angle Park on Saturday, 4th September which is a Timed Graded Meeting-“Worst to Best” rating. Greyhounds graded into 3 categories. Maidens, 1-4 wins & 5 or more wins. Specific grades of greyhounds are not considered except for Maidens. Races–N/P with Pathway Prizemoney. Reserves will be determined by Grader. There will be No Guarding. Refer to “Time Based Grading” published conditions.
$890 Six Fastest Forward (1-4 Wins) Heats – 342m (Max 4 Heats - $1,430 Final Monday 13/9/21. Selected from Worst to Best of this category. Final field will be a 6-dog field plus reserves, comprising of the greyhounds running the fastest times in the heats, regardless of their finishing position in those heats)
• Nominations close Wednesday, 1st September at 9.00am.
GAWLER CLASSIC 2021 THIS MONTH
The first series for the SA bred greyhounds which are paid up for Classic 2021 will be the Gawler Classic over 400m (short course).
It is a special event and no penalties apply.
The Heats will be held on Tuesday, 17th August for $1,600 with the Final on Tuesday, 24th August for $3,300.
MOUNT GAMBIER CROSS BORDER BUBBLE AT 70KM
We advise that the SA Government now have a 70km cross border bubble so only those trainers from Victoria with that exemption will have nominations accepted for upcoming Mt Gambier meetings however these directions do change regularly.
GRSA would be hopeful this changes in the coming week to allow more of our Victorian friends across to support the South East venue. In the meantime the Club have been very appreciative of the support from the local trainers and those from Metro Adelaide ensuring none of their meetings have lost.
INTERSTATE GREYHOUNDS COMING TO SA FOR FEATURE EVENTS
As the COVID-19 situation continues to change rapidly, GRSA will continue to update all participants of any changes to racing restrictions.
Over the next few weeks we will put out different scenarios which will aid trainers making decisions coming to SA and also those trainers in SA. It is our hope our feature races of the SA Oaks , SA Derby , Match Races Series (SA V VIC) and Adelaide Cup will allow uninterrupted Interstate representation however there is a chance this will change and may change the conditions of the race or eligibility. As always GRSA will follow government advice in all these decisions.
GOTBA OAKS, DERBY AND WATERLOO CUP IN SEPTEMBER
Feature meetings for Coursing come up in September with the Oaks and Derby Preludes on Sunday, 12th September while the Oaks and Derby along with the 2021 GOTBA Waterloo Cup on Sunday, 24th September at Virginia.
The Oaks and Derby are for bitches and dogs whelped on or after 1/7/19 with greyhounds required to have competed at Coursing to be eligible. The Waterloo Cup is always a feature on the Clubs program and is much sought after.
Coursing dates are -
Sunday 15th August- Cancelled
Sunday 29th August
Sunday 12th September
Sunday 26th September
Sunday 10th October