It was another successful week for Murray Bridge trainers, with winners spread across Victoria, Balaklava, Morphettville Parks and Bordertown. Strong performances across four race meetings, along with numerous placings, once again highlighted the strength and depth of the Murray Bridge training ranks.
Echuca on Tuesday:
The week began in perfect fashion in Victoria, where John Macmillan enjoyed a winning double at Echuca. Full Commitment, ridden by Zac Spain, took out Race Six by 0.75 lengths before the pair combined again in Race Nine with Sioux Warrior, which scored by 0.35 lengths to cap off a successful interstate raid.
Balaklava on Friday:
Following the cancellation of Wednesday’s scheduled Gawler meeting, racing was transferred to Balaklava on Friday, where Murray Bridge trainers were quick to make their mark.
Mick Huxtable opened proceedings in Race One as Reciprocal, ridden by Harry Grace, produced a strong performance to score by 1.26 lengths.
Garret Lynch rounded out the meeting with victory in Race Eight when Mr Trafficanti, partnered by Tala Hutchinson, finished powerfully to win by 0.81 lengths.
Ballarat Synthetic on Friday:
Stephen Theodore also enjoyed success across the border, with Boyd, ridden by Brad Rawiller, producing a strong performance to win Race Five on the Ballarat Synthetic by 1.75 lengths.
Morphettville Parks on Saturday:
Metropolitan success continued on Saturday with Darryl Hewitt claiming Race Two as Snoopy Now, ridden by Taylor Johnstone, prevailed by 0.87 lengths.
Sarah Rutten followed up in Race Three, with Stirrup Cup, partnered by Harry Grace, digging deep to claim a thrilling 0.09-length victory in one of the closest finishes of the weekend.
Bordertown on Sunday:
Justin Pickering started the day in perfect fashion, with Real World, ridden by Alana Kelly, taking out Race One by 0.35 lengths.
John Macmillan added another winner in Race Two as I Love This Song, partnered by Dom Tourneur, proved too strong to score by 1.19 lengths, giving him three winners for the week.
Sarah Rutten continued her winning run in Race Five with Victory Queen, ridden by Jackson Murphy, winning by 0.9 lengths. Linda Treloar’s Rocktagon, with Harry Grace aboard, filled second placing.
Race Six showcased the depth of Murray Bridge trainers, with David Tootell’s Charlesfort, ridden by Tala Hutchinson, winning convincingly by 2.36 lengths. Sarah Rutten’s Territorian, partnered by Harry Grace, finished second, while Kristi Evans’ Unwind, ridden by Alysha Warren, completed an all-Murray Bridge trifecta in third, 3.19 lengths behind the winner.
Grant Young capped off the weekend in Race Nine as Refreshing, with Will Price aboard, scored by 0.76 lengths. Kristi Evans’ Whoops A Daisy, ridden by Dom Tourneur, finished a gallant second.
It was another week highlighting the depth of the Murray Bridge training ranks, with winners across South Australia and Victoria, including a standout three-win week for John Macmillan and multiple trainers adding to their successful seasons.
Looking Ahead
Racing returns to Thomas Farms Racecourse this week with meetings on Wednesday and Saturday.
Don’t forget that bookings for the Macquarie Raceday Package close this Wednesday. If you’re planning to join us for Saturday’s feature meeting, be sure to secure your package before bookings close!
Winning Murray Bridge Trainers This Week:
John Macmillan – Full Commitment (Echuca R6), Sioux Warrior (Echuca R9), I Love This Song (Bordertown R2)
Mick Huxtable – Reciprocal (Balaklava R1)
Garret Lynch – Mr Trafficanti (Balaklava R8)
Stephen Theodore – Boyd (Ballarat Synthetic R5)
Darryl Hewitt – Snoopy Now (Morphettville Parks R2)
Sarah Rutten – Stirrup Cup (Morphettville Parks R3), Victory Queen (Bordertown R5)
Justin Pickering – Real World (Bordertown R1)
David Tootell – Charlesfort (Bordertown R6)
Grant Young – Refreshing (Bordertown R9)