Seasider grabs inside run for Riverina Championships success

The much improved Seasider (Downbytheseaside) notched yet another big race success when he was able to take an inside run to take out the Listed $100,000 Riverina Championships Final for four and five year old entires and geldings at the Riverina Raceway on Saturday night.

Driven hard early by Amanda Turnbull Seasider crossed over from Soho Darknstormy but then took a trail behind Double Lou who somehow from his second row draw was able to thread his way through the field to take up the running.

Solidly backed favourite War Dan Buddy was on the outside of the second row and driver Cameron Hart decided to ease back to the rear just behind Hesitate.

The runs come thick and fast at the bell with Sinaloa sprinting up three wide followed up by Hesitate who in turn was covering War Dan Buddy.

Double Lou’s driver Bailey McDonough had gone a cushy first two quarters of 30.1 and 29.4 seconds and was obviously going to be the one to beat as he went 26.4 seconds for the third quarter. Although Double Lou straightened up in front, Seasider was taking an inside run but War Dan Buddy was really motoring home and was being acclaimed the winner half way down the straight.

However Double Lou appeared to shift out and severely checked War Dan Buddy who was stopped in his tracks. Meanwhile Seasider avoided all of the trouble to go through on the inside to win by a few metres from Double Lou with a desperately unlucky War Dan Buddy finishing third.

SEASIDER 4 APR REPLAY

Not surprisingly Cameron Hart fired in a protest against Double Lou which after a short hearing was upheld placing War Dan Buddy in second ahead of Double Lou.

After the event both Turnbull and McDonough were both fined $400, the former for unacceptable whip action and McDonough for causing the interference which cost him second placing.

The winner Seasider is out of the New Zealand MCardle mare Miss MCardle who only had two starts. She has also left the mare Miss Mach who won five races and a best time of 1.52.9.

Seasider has a habit of winning big races. Two months ago Seasider took out the TAB Regional Championships Final at Bathurst coming from virtually nowhere to win impressively.

Whilst all credit is with Seasider there’s little doubt that War Dan Buddy was a good thing beaten as had he not struck interference he would have probably won clearly. The five year old has a touch of class and should make amends very soon.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink