Training doubles highlight action at The Bridge
Jack Trengove Lands A Friday Double
Tuesday Meeting (Straight track)
On an extra windy afternoon at The Bridge, their were some super fast times run across the meeting, which proved to be quite the spectacle. The ‘Victa’ team, led by Ron Schadow, continued on their dominant ways, with Ron taking out a training double, but their were also some other great efforts on the day.
Brian Hodgson made the long drive over from Victoria with a team of four and walked away with a training double, making the trip a worthwhile venture. The first winner was Major Phantom, who was simply incredible in his victory over the 300m trip. Bringing in some hot Healesville form, he looked well placed in a grade 5 and from box one he was able to fire straight to the lead. Out in front, he very quickly put a gap on the others and simply fired away, extending to a big lead midrace. The event was all but sewn up, but when the clock stopped, it told quite a story. The time for the victory was a near record breaking 16.05, which is simply flying and despite the run being significantly wind assisted, it’s still a brilliant effort to run that time!
It was only in the next race that the kennel mate in Major Cyclone made it two for Brian, putting together a good run to win from box seven over the 300m trip. In what was a match race in the market between himself and Dazzling Cruiser, Major Cyclone was on the backfoot early after a tardy beginning. Thankfully, he was afforded plenty of room to muster up and halfway up the straight he took over. It was a tight finish, but Major Cyclone got the job done in a slick 16.44.
A good field was assembled for the 1-3 win grade 6 final over the shorter trip and with it came a terrific race. The Manuel Stuppos trained Lenny’s Honey started favourite from box eight, off the back of a strong win the week before. It was a good field with plenty of talented youngsters, but with a fast start, Lenny’s Honey very quickly put herself in the prime spot, out in front. Once there, the fawn bitch really scooted along and set up a healthy margin in the process. At no point in the race did she look in trouble, as she won by a couple of lengths in a hot 16.39. That win made it 4 from 11 for the daughter Koblenz and Maddison Kaye, and with fast starts like that, she will be winning plenty more!
Friday Meeting
Dry and pleasant conditions welcomed us for a full 12 race card on Friday and it was a good spread of winners amongst different trainers.
One of the highlights for the day was the grade 6 final over the 395m trip, which ended up going the way of the Mount Gambier visitor in Galactic Artemis, who is trained by Steve Bartholomew. Following a decent heat effort the week before, the black bitch was given some chance in the race,with the face that she drew suitably with box eight. A good start from Galactic Artemis saw her glide down the outside early and get to an early lead, running a slick 5.04 in the process. Heading into the turn, she extended by a couple of lengths and was going along nicely. At the top of the straight, she went a bit wide but it did not matter, as she lengthened down the straight and extended her lead. The end result was an impressive 3 length win in 22.49 and off of that, it won’t be the last time that she wins at Murray Bridge!
Jack Trengove was in the winners list on Friday, claiming a training double on the day, making it an enjoyable day out. Victa Vern was the first one over the shorter trip and he got the job done in an absolute thriller. From box six, he was quite slow to go and was a clear last as they left the boxes, which is never ideal! But it didn’t deter him. Around the turn he started to build into the race and he peeled to the outside of the field. In the straight, their was some trouble in front and he pounced on the opportunity, quickly getting to the lead. It was a bunched finish, but Victa Vern got it done, with five dogs finishing within a length of each other! It was in the next race that Springvale Jess landed a victory from the reserve bench, handling box seven with ease and wearing the ‘9’ rug with pride. In what looked like a suitable field for her, she came out quickly and had her head in front early. Heading into the turn, she had to work hard, but was a bit too strong and burnt off a challenger to her inside. It was race over from that point, as she strolled away for a strong 22.77 victory.
It was also a good day for Cameron Butcher who grabbed a double on the card with Waltowa winning a grade 5 over the 395m trip from box six in 22.50 while Southern Sun claimed the last race of the day with a win over the 455m trip in a grade 6 with a nice run from box two. Butcher was joined by Ron Schadow in grabbing a double which included Victa Marli winning over the 395m in 22.19 which was a best of the day time for the journey!