A nasty virus had threatened to bring ZIPPING Wiillow’s glorious racing career to an end but trainer Jason MACKAY is hoping she can start her path to more success at Unibet Gardens on Friday.
The gun chaser will have her first run in four weeks when she jumps from box seven in the meeting's ninth race, the Dylan Clough Memorial (400m).
ZIPPING-willow">ZIPPING Willow’s last run was a below-par effort in the Group 1 Sportingbet Dapto Megastar, where she was heavily fancied but finished seventh.
She was then laid low for two weeks with her illness, with MACKAY admitting he thought her racing days may be over.
“No treatment would work,” he said. “For a couple of weeks she couldn’t pick her feet up and couldn’t exercise.
“She just lay on her bed looking at me – it was terrible.
“If she hadn’t eventually responded to treatment then I think she would have been retired.
“We just keep our fingers crossed that she has fully recovered.”
ZIPPING-willow">ZIPPING Willow (pictured) had enjoyed a golden period before the illness struck, racking up a superb 13 wins from 14 starts.
This year's Group 3 Evans and Son Jewellers Ladies Bracelet (520m) winner and Richmond Oaks runner-up has enjoyed a phenomenal career so far, with 28 wins from 41 starts.
She won on her last visit to Unibet Gardens in the Group 2 Black Top heats and looked a strong contender for the $40,000 top prize, but was scratched due to injury.
This will be a rare outing over the 400m distance but ZIPPING-willow">ZIPPING Willow, who also won last year's Group 3 Canberra Cup, has a commanding record at Unibet Gardens and should win if in top condition.
MACKAY said he hopes a strong performance would strengthen his charge’s chances of earning a spot at the forthcoming Group 1 Topgun at The Meadows.
The picks for the $150,000 race will be confirmed this Tuesday.
“She has to be right in the mix for it with her record,” he said.
“If she comes out good at Unibet Gardens then that should work in her favour.
“If she doesn’t get a place in the Topgun then we’ll have a look around for her next step.”
Veteran Yo Cool Maxie (box eight), who has more than 100 races to his name, looks the biggest threat to ZIPPING Willow in the race.
Others to watch at Unibet Gardens include Diablo Sky (race four), Zulu Mystique in race seven and in-form Navman Al, who is in race eight.
For Unibet Gardens Friday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
