ZIPPING Summah was marginally quicker than her litter sister Zipping Willow when they were broken in and is set to have the edge again in Saturday night’s Group 3 Evans & Son Jewellers Ladies Bracelet final (520m) at Wentworth Park.
After last week’s heats, owner-breeder Marty Hallinan revealed that ZIPPING Summah was slightly faster when they were being educated but that Zipping Willow’s more extensive career had made her the successful racer.
And while ZIPPING Willow’s 29.96 heat win was widely hailed as one of the best runs so far in 2014, ZIPPING-summah">ZIPPING Summah’s close second behind Ritza Hattie in 29.87 was equally as impressive.
The draw also favours ZIPPING Summah (box two) over her sibling, Zipping Willow (box three).
Ritza Hattie (pictured) will be all the rage after drawing one in the final but will need to beat ZIPPING Summah out of the starting boxes to have any chance of leading her early.
In the heats, Ritza Hattie jumped in front from box one and posted an initial split of 5.35 before being headed by ZIPPING Summah, who had dwelt at the start, rounding the first bend.
“I was rapt in that run because she went into the race short of match fitness, which was understandable considering she had not raced since November,” trainer Jason Mackay said after the race.
“I was stoked to see ZIPPING Summah record a second section of 13.62 and then hang on so well after Ritza Hattie had the drop on her.’’
The Darren McDonald-trained Quick Succession is the fastest heat winner going into the final, clocking splits of 5.39 and 13.79 on her way to her 29.80 performance. But her move from box two out to box seven in the final is a huge obstacle.
I am tipping the two ZIPPINGs to run the quinella with Darren Sultana’s Irondale Bravo, thanks to her improved box manners, third pick from box five.
Irondale Bravo rattled home to cut Chica Destacada out of second place in Quick Succession’s heat and after being fourth at the first turn she went under by less than a length.
Speedy Lacey Lois, who runs straight to the first turn, has box six and is poised to give Irondale Bravo room to move while hampering Quick Succession.
In other action on Saturday night, Usaine looks a good value bet in the opening event on the night.
Usaine left trainer Margaret Bannerman bitterly disappointed after his first two Wentworth Park failures but the dog’s strong second behind Freddy Diesel at the Glebe track last Saturday has her upbeat about his prospects on Saturday.
Last week Usaine had box five and was hampered at the first turn before moving into third place on the back straight and being beaten six lengths by Mark Gatt’s powerful finisher Freddy Diesel in a slick 29.89.
“I was so disappointed with Usaine’s two previous Wentworth Park runs because I know how much ability he has,’’ Margaret said.
“He must have a good chance this week as he has box one and not only that, I’m in race one which makes the 10 hour round trip for me from Reefton, near Temora, all the more appealing.
“I am racing at Canberra on Sunday so at least I’ll get a few hours sleep and if Usaine wins it will seem like a quick trip home.
“I bred Usaine from my bitch Felicity Lane, who was a handy stayer, and when she whelped her first litter to Dyna Lachlan I sold him as a pup to Sue and Gary Thorncroft.
“They also own pacers and before Carolyn Hore moved to NEW ZEALAND she trained greyhounds for them, including the smart Lolo Joines.’’
Golden Easter Egg finalist Magic Display should bounce back into the winner’s circle in race six.
Magic Display has drawn box six for the assignment but has the speed to be well clear at the first turn. Her third to Smashing Sally in a Ladies Bracelet heat last week was an outstanding effort as she was badly hampered at the start.
Magic Display began with her usual dash from box five, but noted lid-pinger Premier Mozz, box six, veered left at box rise and put her out of business.
Apollo Reign only has to begin reasonably well to give race nine a shake on Saturday night.
The Michael Cope-trained dog bungled the start completely from box eight at Wentworth Park last Saturday night and produced a remarkable performance to beat all but Zambora Magic and Waymore’s Blues in a scorching 29.55.
Apollo Reign has drawn better in box two on Saturday with wide running Zola Icon (box three) set to give him a clear run to the first corner.
Best Bet: Magic Display (Race 6)
Best Value: Usaine (Race 1)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 3, 1, 4
Race 6 – 6, 1
Race 7 – 4, 6, 8
Race 8 – 2, 3, 5
$20 for 37.03%
