Times are rocking on the 1-turn
The past week at the Bridge…
Tuesday (Straight Track)
We had a nice mix of dogs and trainers at the Straight track meeting on Thursday, which created 10 pretty strong races.
Ozzie Chegia made it a winning trip to the straight when the first of his two runners - Razzle Darryl, got back onto the winners list. He jumped a rock solid second favourite but didn’t quite have things work out midrace, when he was only center field with a bit of pressure around him. Masked By Design gave plenty of check out in front as a $31 shot, but Razzle Darryl knuckled down late and got the bob in.
Aston Hayato made his return to racing after having three months off. He had quite the task for his return, box 8 against some really nice types which included Reel It In, Aston Noah and Leroy Deploy. After copping a heavy bump after he left the boxes, he looked in strife, but he just kept rallying and putting in midrace, before working to the top and holding in a tough effort. He clocked 16.69 in the process which was just a first class return. Well done to both Dave and Hayato!
Not only did Dave Peckham produce Aston Hayato to win first up, but he landed a treble for the day. Aston Percival was the first of Dave’s winners, when he defeated a red hot grade 5 field in 16.84. Aston Hayato was the second winner and he also went BOD, before Shim Cam rounded out the card with an all the way 16.72 effort. A terrific day for Dave and a much deserved one with the amount of traveling the kennel has been doing lately.
Danyo’s Clint was electric in his BOD 19.26 victory in a grade 6 heat. He’s a dog that has plenty of ability but sometimes struggles to put it all together, so it was great to see him ‘fly the lids’ and produce a roaring performance. Hopefully he can win a couple in a row now.
Dog to follow: Aston Carlos - Came through the heat in which Aston Percival won, but the effort from Carlos was excellent. He came out ordinary before finding himself last and in need of a run. When the gap opened late, he absolutely flooded home and was able to get past Fly For Trix who was the $1.50 favourite and finish within a couple lengths of the winner. Think he can really establish himself as a 350m straight track specialist in the near future.
Friday (1-Turn)
Ron Schadow started our Friday meeting with a winner, when his only racer in the kennels - Victa Florence, finally broke her maiden at start 31. She is the eleventh of the twelve strong litter to break the maiden, with just Victa Oreo left to do his job! Well to Ron and ‘Flo’!
Spring Vinnie continued his outstanding return to racing, defeating a small but high quality field over the 395m trip. He stepped really well which generally isn’t his go, so when he did it was lights out for the rest of the field. Vinnie clocked a blistering 5.01-22.04.
Speaking of fast times, we saw ridiculously quick times over the 395m, 455m and 530m trips on Friday. She’s A Hotshot was totally airborne as a red hot favourite, as she went all the way with a seriously mind boggling 7.77-25.11. That set a new first split record and she gave the track record a serious shake! One of Troy Murray’s other runners in Beatific, clocked 22.02 over the 395m trip, whilst Meet Joe Black romped in with a 29.68 effort for the longer journey. A credit to all involved for producing those runs.
Kev Bewley’s honest chaser - Imperial Master, made it two wins in a row when he lobbed over the 395m trip. He jumped well but was outpaced midrace by Fleurieu Flyer, who made a good break mid race. Imperial Master rallied back however and caught her in the straight. Good to see him land a couple of victories and he will be shooting for three in a row when he lines up at Gawler on Australia Day.
Dog to follow: Funambulist - It was probably her best effort in what has been a rough preparation so far. Loved her tenacity to work over from box 8 and chase the hot speed set by She’s A Hotshot. Ended up only 4 lengths behind in 25.41 and I just think if she can find a similar race next week then she will have a really good chance, off that confidence boosting effort.
Photo: Aston Hayato making it look easy
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography