Wednesday's Murray Bridge Races Report
- Wednesday, 09 November 2011 12:31
After being prominent in the early stages and getting to the front in the straight Rough Deal provided John Hickmott and rider Libby Hopwood with a one and a quarter length win in the opening event of 1200 metres at Murray Bridge on Wednesday.
Starting The $1.60 favourite the Artie Schiller sired Rough Deal, from the Honours List mare Star of Ella, went on to defeat another Hickmott trained runner, the Shayne Cahill ridden Rich Pride $10.
Beyond Doubt $11, from the David Jolly stable with Justin Potter in the saddle, was another two and a quarter lengths away third.
Leading all the way the Honours List four year old gelding Sounds Like Leon $3 brought up his first win for trainer Kym Buick in the 1000 meter second race.
From the Bubble Gum Fellow mare Della Leonessa and having the services of Dale Evans, Sounds Like Leon went on to defeat the David Jolly trained Jordan Frew ridden God’s Way $5.
Desert Tales $12 was another long neck away third for Ken Knowles and Jeffrey Maund.
Trainer Grant Young brought up a Murray Bridge training trifecta when jockey Clare Lindop steered Birchmore Road to a six length win in race three which was contested over 2220 metres.
Starting at $8.50 the Grass Wonder five year old gelding Birchmore Road from the Racer’s Edge mare Libido was midfield before getting to the front as the field swung for home and beat the early leader Asso Bello, the $2.60 favourite, for trainer Denis O’Leary and rider Matthew Neilson.
Back Tracks $6 was a farther two and a quarter lengths away third for Ian Walker and Jordan Frew.
The Bianconi four year old mare Pray to Win gave trainer Paul Beshara and rider Paul Gatt a one and a quarter length win in the 1400 metre fourth race.
From the daughter of Euclase, Golden Euclase, Pray to Win was well placed early in the event before going on to defeat the John Hickmott prepared Libby Hopwood ridden Son of Nala $4.60.
Starting at $12 Dubai Me Roses was a farther two lengths away third for Mark Kavanagh and Nathan Rose.
Facing the starter for the 101st time the eleven year old Merlot Now gave trainer Darryl Hewitt and rider Matthew Neilson a half length win in the fifth race which was contested over 1600 metres.
From the Francis Bacon mare Babelle and sired by Akhadan, Merlot Now was well placed before going on to beat the $2.60 favourite, the Mathew Seyers prepared Simon Price ridden Friendsinthefield.
Shams Time $14 was a farther two lengths away third for Gary Searle and Adrian Patterson.
Libby Hopwood brought up her second winner for the day when the Michael Hickmott prepared Hillfire $4.60 was the short head winner of the 900 metre sixth event.
A Happy Giggle gelding from the River Rough mare White Water Bay, Hillfire staged a good tussle with the second placegetter the David Balfour trained Todd Pannell ridden Taken the Road $17 over the concluding stages.
Courting Justice $16 was a farther two lengths away third for Dennis O’Leary and Nathan Rose.
The progeny of the United States bred Southern Image and the Belong To Me matron Elite, Image Master gave horse carer Kirsten McGowan and apprentice Lauren Stojakovic a neck victory in the 1200 seventh race.
Starting at $6 Image Master settled well and quickly took up a forward position going on to beat the Barry Woosnam prepared Amy Herrmann ridden Taj Maher the $4 equal favourite with the fourth placegetter Uma Wave.
Bicker $17 was a farther short neck away third for Ken Sweeney and Claudia Loins.
Being in the first three throughout Final Command $10 gave mentor John Macmillan and apprentice Jordon Frew a one and a quarter length win in the 1200 metre final event.
Sired by Commands from Final Address, a Singspiel mare, Final Command beat the Margaret Ruberry charge, the Tamara Zanker steered Conquest Of Arms $13. Starting at the odds of $11 Devasent was another one and a quarter lengths away third for Sue Nolan and Wayne Kerford.
