Zipping WILLOW has been sensationally scratched from tonight's Group 2 Black Top Final (515m) at Unibet Gardens tonight after injuring her shoulder.
Cameron Hallinan, son of Zipping WILLOW's owner Martin, stated on the Greyhound Racing NSW Facebook page that Zipping WILLOW would not take her place in tonight's first leg of the Thank Dog It's Friday series due to the injury. Cameron Hallinan said connections did not want to risk racing Zipping WILLOW. Her scratching means Tricky Rose will now get a run in the Black Top final.
Zipping WILLOW faced a tough task tonight in any case after she drew box five in the final.
The winner of tonight's race could could come from "the wings" with Queensland’s Rose Of Galo and Sydney front-runner Push It (pictured) ideally positioned in boxes eight and one respectively.
Alby Kennewell, who has just two greyhounds in work at Mount Tarampa, between Gatton and Ipswich, is pleased with Rose Of Galo’s draw.
She came out running to lead throughout from box seven in her heat, clocking 29.47.
“I would have preferred box seven again because she seems to fly the lids when she is in an odd numbered box and so has more time to settle in the boxes,’’ the trainer said. “But box eight is fine because she definitely likes it out wide.
“I’m happy to see Miner’s Moss in box seven because he might help Rose Of Galo in the run to the first turn.
“My bitch broke the first section record at Albion Park and Miner’s Moss runs around the same time but he wants to get to the rails, he will be looking for the inside.’’
Kennewell, who once worked at a Hunter Valley abattoirs alongside legendary NSW trainer Ken Cheetham, has been training greyhounds for 48 years.
“OVER four decades ago I bought a bitch by Nation Parade from Dublo Spring from Noel Pickett, who trained the 1980 Harold Park Christmas Gift winner Little Blade,’’ Kennewell recalled.
“Rose Of Galo is a fourth generation descendant of that bitch I bought and while she is good my best dog was her great grandsire BEILPAJAH, who had some great duels with Faithful Hawk.
“BEILPAJAH met Faithful Hawk three times and beat him twice but Faithful Hawk went on to win the 1999 Golden Easter Egg."
The other “boxed’’ runner in the Black Top is the DEAN Swain-trained Push It, who will make full use of the rails draw.
“She had a hard preparation so I gave Push It 12 days off before the Black Top heats,’’ Swain said. "I was very happy with her second to Miner’s Moss in the fastest heat, 29.43, especially as my bitch came off box eight and is definitely better from the inside.
“If she leads I’ve no doubt Push It will run 29.40 in the final because she has broken 30 seconds at Wentworth Park on six occasions.
“Alan’s Kidz, who has box three, is a terrific beginner but he runs straight and might stop greyhounds like Zipping WILLOW and Rose Of Galo getting across.
“If Push It wins I’m hoping to take her to Dapto for the Sportingbet Megastar early next month.’’
Swain’s National Futurity winner Rue De Kahn is expected to make a successful middle distance debut in Friday’s 600m Lord Mayor’s Cup at Unibet Gardens.
“She has raced against the best all her life and I figured giving her a 600 metre race, where she has a good chance of leading, will boost her confidence,’’ Swain said.
“The top Melbourne trainers do this sort of thing all the time and Rue De Kahn goes well at The Gardens and is very strong at the end of 515 metres so I think she will lead all the way.
“After Friday I’ll take her to Canberra for the Cup heats OVER 530m on September 7.’’
One of the better value bets at Unibet Gardens on Friday is Black Diablo, who is well boxed in two in the Social Club Members Memorial final (515m).
Trainer John Lipinski believes interference cost his greyhound two lengths in the heats yet Black Diablo was beaten in a close photo finish in 30.09.
Fastest heat winner Zulu Zenith led throughout in 30.07 but on Friday Black Diablo looks to have a great chance of sitting behind that bitch at the first turn.
Black Diablo is owned and trained by her breeder John Lipinski of Blackalls Park in the Hunter Valley and is from the first litter produced by Kayanna James.
“His mother only had a few starts but kept finding trouble and getting hurt so I retired her,’’ Lipinski said.
“I’m 53 and have been around greyhounds since I was seven years old, helping out northern coalfields trainers like Col Gleeson and Norm Purcell."
For Unibet Gardens fields, form and expert tips, click here.
Best Bet: Lightest Touch (Race 10)
Best Value: Tenoble (Race 9)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 3, 1
Race 6 – 8, 4, 2
Race 7 - 6, 3, 1
Race 8 - 1, 5, 4, 8
$20 for 27.77%
