"Grand Final" Field for Murray Bridge Cup
- Thursday, 26 September 2002 00:00
This Saturday the Murray Bridge Racing Club hosts South Australias only Saturday provincial meeting, which coincides with AFL Grand Final day.
Racegoers are treated to a host of on-course activities, including the Clipsal Super Screen screening the football action, along with a great days racing.
The $62,100 Listed Finniss Lodge / Alcohol Go East Murray Bridge Gold Cup is being run for the first time over 1600m instead of the traditional 2400m and jumps during the Grand Final half-time break.
Local programming has given participants a number of 1600m lead-up options to this race and the form is well exposed, although the best form-line for the race may come from the recent Listed Baker Young Stockbrokers Trophy (1600m) at Morphettville. The winner was Oliver Beer, followed by Mustaagel, Oxford Dollar and Terminus Prince.
That quartet may fight out the finish again but the improver from the race is Oxford Dollar, prepared by Bill Smart at Oakbank.
Oxford Dollar was having just his second run back from a spell after finishing 14th in the Group 1 Adelaide Cup behind The A Train in May.
Last start, the gelding charged home late in the race to grab third but will strip much fitter for Saturdays assignment.
"He went into that race definitely needing the run," Smart said. "He has had a boil on his wither and I wasnt able to put a saddle on him for a couple of weeks leading up to the race. The only thing I could do was to lead him off another horse down at Goolwa beach. Under the circumstances, his run was excellent and hell be much fitter for this weekend."
Importantly, especially for a backmarker, Oxford Dollar has an excellent record at both the track and at 1600m.
After Saturdays run, Oxford Dollar will then run in the $136,000 Listed Cranbourne Cup (2025m) at Cranbourne on October 9. From there, Smart will aim the gelding at the lesser spring staying events.
"Im really happy with the way hes come on over the last couple of weeks," Smart said. "After Cranbourne, well look at races such as Country Cups, the JRA and Moonee Valley Cups, the SAAB Quality and maybe the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. His form will have to warrant the trip to Melbourne, though."
Last weekends Wolf Blass Barossa Cup winner, None For The Road, is backing up this Saturday, as is runner-up Brave Decision, who won the Darwin Cup last month. The Balaklava Cup winner Chading is also among the entrants.
The interesting runner in the race is Emission, prepared by Cliff Brown, who is entered for todays (Thursday) meeting at Ballarat.
Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)
