Victa Marli Scorches In Juvenile Romp
Wednesday
Tony Lagana had a terrific day on Wednesday at Gawler, picking up two winners, back to back. Storm Tyson (On Fire x Precious Tyson) broke his maiden in race two, overcoming box eight. After some strong efforts previously and despite a fall the week before, the black dog was able to put it all together to win professionally. He landed close early after jumping the best that he has in his career, before making a smart move on the turn to rail underneath the leader. After that he put them away and ran a solid 23.35. Sunshot then won the next race for Tony, again from box eight. He stepped beautifully and led easily with a slick 8.70 first split, putting a few lengths on the others down the back. In the home straight he got a bit weary, but was far too good, winning in 23.27. Well done Tony!
Busy Miner (Fernando Bale x Qomie Bale) finally broke through for his maiden victory at start 19! The 31kg dog had been racing super consistently for a number of weeks but just finding it hard to win, so it was a much deserved victory. He wasn’t the quickest to begin, but was smart enough to hold his spot in third on the rail from box two. Approaching the home straight, a gap opened between the two chasers in front and Busy Miner surged through it, before running away and taking that elusive maiden! A good show of persistence from his trainer Des Hockley and a good confidence booster for Busy Miner.
Nicole Price continued her run, with another two winners on Wednesday. Spring Bonnie was the first, with the black bitch getting the job from box three. She stepped nicely and then showed some smarts to rail through on the first bend. She held the front with some stern opposition behind, but around the turn she burnt off the challengers and put the race away, winning in 23.01. The old faithful Patched added another win to his record in the last race of the day, toppling a hot favourite in Taylor Toves. From box eight, Patched jumped fairly and found himself third in the run, but as they approached the home turn it was class that shone through, as he took a rails run and powered away, winning in a hot 22.72.
Sunday
Victa Marli showed her true ability on Sunday, with a flying BON 22.49 victory in a juvenile. She has shown a stack of pace in previous runs but has struggled to put it all together consistently. Coming out of box five on Sunday, she stepped brilliantly, clocking 8.54 to the first mark, which of course saw her end up with a comfortable lead. She never looked like stopping, as she romped in by four lengths in what was a brilliant career best run! Hopefully she continues to do things right, because she can seriously run.
Kim Johnstone continued her fantastic run with another two winners on Sunday. Very Jiggling drew poorly in box eight in her grade 6 event, but handled it perfectly. She jumped fairly with Magic Tale finding an early lead, however Very Jiggling was able to click through the gears mid race as she sat three wide up the back. Turning for home, Very Jiggling was still wide but ultimately proved way too good as she got the big strides going late to nail Global Glory in 23.13. Velocity Comet then bobbed up again for Kim as she has a knack of doing, taking out the grade 4 race of the night. A brilliant beginning set the win up for the white and black bitch, as she was able to lead early in 8.74. From there, her strength and class took her the rest of the way home, as she got the job done in a slick 22.77.
Karmen Kristy had her second run for the Steven Brook kennel, since arriving from Victoria. After a luckless effort at Angle Park the week prior, she made amends for it on Sunday night. Drawing well in box one saw her start a warm favourite, but when she was crossed early from Spy Master, things were thrown in the air. Her class which had seen her win 14 races previously in Victoria shone through, as she was able to wear down a notoriously tough Spy Master in front, before roaring away in a hot 22.70 gallop. It was a good run considering she wasn’t afforded a totally clear passage throughout. I suspect that may be the first of a few to come for the talented bitch!