Monaghan’s Break Through With A Winning Double
Andrew and Sarah Monaghan had argably their best day at Casino since arriving to the area, with a winning double last Friday. Turbo Cruise opened up proceedings for he kennel when he led all of the way in the Richmond Bakery stake.
The son of Tropical Cruise has an imposing record around the country tracks, and certainly came up to TAB class with a 3 1/2 length victory in a good 23.30. Christian Congo added the spice to the day with an impressive win in the Casino Rural Traders stake.
Coming back in distance after a short break, he got a winning lead in the back section, and went on to score by 3 1/4 lengths in a speedy 23.04.
Impressive puppy Muller Road continued on his winning way by taking out the Ranvet sprint. In a race set aside mostly for runners just out of maiden class, Muller Road did everything right from his rails draw to lead throughout in a handy 23.15, the same time as the top grade recorded. Trainer Pat Lavis might have a handy one in this fellow, who just keeps on improving with every run.
That top grade was won by Yorklea Valley who put in a good run to win. Slowly away, he was last early but showed good speed to race around the leaders as they went into the back where he raced clear. Going right on with the job, he saluted by four and a half lengths for Tony Marras.
Surin' Sal stepped up to open company for the first time, and raced away with the Charcoal Inn Free For All. The Margaret Dwyer trained galloper was also not the best to begin, but kept railing up to hit the front as they went through the catching pen for the first time. Romping clear, she went on to salute by 4 1/2 lengths in 27.17, It was her sixth win from eleven attempts.
The Jim Robinson trained Kid Middy kept up his good record here with an 23.59 win after leading from the first turn, whilst Sammy's Tears also showed good pace to run 23.37 for Neil Falls in the opening maiden. It was only her second start, and she bolted in by seven lengths.
Ballina conditioner Alf Small was another who collected a training double when Gambler's Gold was an all of the way winner in 27.76, and later his younger half sister Hi Honey got the “biscuits” in 27.70.
Bokarm Rocket won the second maiden over the short course by six lengths in 23.19 for Bob Merillo, while Eristoff got up in the last stride in the 484 metre maiden to run 27.81.
The remaining race, the distance stake, was won by Dyna Reggie who clocked 36.24 in a 3/4 length win for Tom Tzouvelis.
Casino race again this week with heats of both the Vesuvio @ stud Christmas Gift for fifth graders, and a Christmas maiden, both over 411 metres.