Tim Richards dominates at the Straight Track
Tuesday (Straight Track)
It was an exciting meeting on Tuesday with the two heats of the National Straight Track Championship heats being run. After being sent out a red hot favourite in the first heat, He’s On Fire didn’t let the punters down with a dominant three length win, leading all the way and running a quick 19.12, on a track which wasn’t conducive to fast times. His perfect box manners were on show again, with a flying 6.87 first split. If he repeats that run in the final next week then it just seems impossible for him to lose.
The second heat was a lot closer, with a few dogs given a chance. I’m Gifted Too led early from box seven and was going quite well, until the wall of dogs started to close in on her. Colden Express was leading that charge and looked to the most likely winner, but ran straight into I’m Gifted Too. Crush Your Enemy was the one that was able to capitalise, as he launched late and got in by a pimple, to take out the heat in 19.40. With that, Tim Richards took out both of the heats and will go into the final with a red hot favourite again He’s On Fire. Tim also had an earlier winner in the form of Wickham, who made it two wins in a row. That capped off a big day for Tim, taking home three winners!
Marty Doyle continued the good run that his kennel has been having lately, with Makani Girl winning in very sharp fashion, after a month freshen up. She had box five to deal with, but handled it well, jumping quickly before staying in the middle of the track. After hitting the front, she had to fend off a raging Gel Blaster, but was able to, winning in a handy 16.71. Marty also had Testarossa Boy run second later on the card, making it a handy day!
Dog to follow: Mepunga Grace - She went around in the heat of the Straight Track Championship, which was taken out by He’s On Fire, but her effort was terrific in defeat. From box five, she was cleaned up early and did well to stay on her feet! After picking herself up, she built momentum again and rallied late to run fourth and finish just two lengths away from Winner’s Win in second. I would certainly be giving her a good place chance in the final on Tuesday.
Sunday (1-Turn)
Lauren Harris had a big night on Sunday, with three impressive winners, which included two quinellas! Diesel Runner was the first, with a quick 22.17 victory. Last week Danyo’s Charlie was able to beat Diesel Runner, but that result was reversed on Sunday, with Diesel Runner leading and proving too good for Danyo’s Charlie who couldn’t pick him up. Lauren then had Danyo’s Mercy and Me Same You both win over the longer 680m trip, with Me Same You going slightly quicker with a 39.33 gallop. Well done to Lauren on a terrific night.
One chaser that enjoyed their week at the Bridge was Clear View, who was able to win at the straight track on Tuesday before backing it up on Sunday with another win. It was a strong win on Tuesday off the back of some poor numerical form, but she proved it was no fluke, running down an eye-catching Jazzy Minter on Sunday in a handy 25.50.
Rob Harnas has been enjoying a handy little run lately with his team of young dogs, and his effort was rewarded on Sunday with a double on the card. Hoogley was the first winner and it was a complete performance from the black chaser. He started favourite over the 530m trip and quickly showed why, jumping straight on the arm and pinching a break midrace. He never looked like losing thereafter as he won in a tidy 30.02. Roxy Rover then made it two for the night, utlising box one perfectly to win over the short trip in 22.43. It was handy effort as she was crossed and from box one at the Bridge that can be quite a tricky spot to be in! However, she waited for the run and it came, and she was good enough to take it. A good night for Rob and hopefully the run can continue.
Dog to follow: Jet Blaze - He’s always shown glimpses of ability this dog, and again on Sunday he showed a bit. He came out well from box eight, but wasn’t able to get to the fence with the eventual winner holding the inside. He was a bit flat midrace and struggled to hold his spot in second, but he did before rallying late and making a charge for Danyo’s Mercy, however ran out of time to get past. If you swap the boxes then you could potentially swap the result, but we will never know. Surely he wins one soon though, he’s a better dog than 1 win from 22 starts!