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Ocean Ridge is ridgy-didge in Nights Of Thunder triumph

Headshot of Ernie Manning
Ernie ManningThe West Australian
Ocean Ridge after his victory in The West Australian Nights Of Thunder Final. The nose gear, known as a ‘vader’, helps the horse relax.
Camera IconOcean Ridge after his victory in The West Australian Nights Of Thunder Final. The nose gear, known as a ‘vader’, helps the horse relax. Credit: Hamilton Content Creators

Co-trainers Greg and Skye Bond maintained top form when Ocean Ridge scorched to a race record win in the $50,000 The West Australian Nights Of Thunder Final (1730m) at Gloucester Park tonight.

The five-year-old, driven by Ryan Warwick and starting a $1.80 favourite, led narrowly before sprinting clear to beat runner-up Bob Wheel by 12m while Black Jack Zac ran third.

Ocean Ridge rated 1:52.6 and eclipsed Mohegan Sun’s 1:53 race record set in 2016.

The Bonds landed a WA Pacing Cup trifecta last week when Mighty Conqueror won from his stablemates Vampiro and Our Jimmy Johnstone.

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Warwick said Ocean Ridge was primed for more feature event victories after improving his race manners.

“He’s always had the ability, but his tractability has been a problem,” Warwick said. “He’s now competing in more genuine style and isn’t so wayward.

“I think he’s ready to go on and win better races.

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“He’s got stamina and longer events won’t be a problem. Though leading tonight, he’ll be superior with a sit in races.”

Ryan Warwick drives Ocean Ridge to the finish line at Gloucester Park tonight.
Camera IconRyan Warwick drives Ocean Ridge to the finish line at Gloucester Park tonight. Credit: Hamilton Content Creators

Ocean Ridge, who wears head gear which helps him relax, was temperamental after the race and Warwick took him back to the stalls quickly from a post race parade.

Its Rock And Rock had earlier won the $30,000 Im Themightyquinn Final (2130m), which was marred by a two-horse fall at the 600m.

Reinspersons Dylan Egerton-Green, who drove Mighty Conqueror to win the WA Pacing Cup, and Maddison Brown escaped serious injury when catapulted to the track.

Egerton-Green sustained abrasions to a leg.

Stewards said Egerton-Green and Brown’s drives Mandy Joan and Star Armbro, respectively, appeared injury-free.

An inquiry has been opened into the fall, which occurred after horses broke gait when pace quickened.

Its Rock And Roll’s trainer-reinsman Colin Brown said the four-year-old, who led all the way, had been sold before the race.

He is expected to do his future racing in America.

“His owners have sold him,” Brown said. “The horse just hung on in tonight’s race, but is better than that. He’s had enough for the time being and needs a short break from racing.”

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