Zipping Willow Stays On Home Turf

ZIPPING WILLOW should be one to watch on familiar turf over the coming weeks after bouncing back to victory in impressive fashion.

Jason MACKAY’s star sprinter defeated a class field including Group 1 winner Bessy Boo and dangerous chasers Are Jip and Cyclone Simone  to win over 520m at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

It was a 29th win in 44 starts for the greyhound but a first for more than two months after a frustrating spell of injury and illness.

Trainer MACKAY said a planned trip to the forthcoming heats of the Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park had been “canned” with the greyhound likely to stay closer to the home for a while, starting in the ladbrokes.com.au Stakes (520m) Wentworth Park this Saturday night.

“She’s been around The Meadows but not at Sandown and that’s a no-no for a race like the Melbourne Cup,” he said. “She would need to trial there to be in with a chance against those dogs.

“It’s not in the interests of the greyhound to try for that, so she’ll stick to Wentworth Park.

“We’ll have a few starts with her there and see what happens.”

Check out  a replay of ZIPPING WILLOW’s latest win here.

This year’s Group 3 Evans and Son Jewellers Ladies Bracelet winner, who also claimed last year’s Group 3 Canberra Cup, has been a star of the track since debuting in May last year.

Despite her recent troubles, MACKAY reckons ZIPPING WILLOW has "plenty of racing" left in her.

She faces some high-class opposition this Saturday nigth including Vic Peters Classic placegetter Anything Less.

ZIPPING WILLOW’s kennelmate ZIPPING Oscar should be one to watch at Wentworth Park this Saturday after further bolstering his budding reputation.

The promising pup collected his fourth win in six starts with a solid 30.10 victory in the heat on Saturday night to qualify for the final.

MACKAY said the greyhound was “Still learning” to race but was progressing well.

Check out ZIPPING Oscar’s run here.

ZIPPING Oscar goes in an intriguing Ladbrokes 2-5 Wins Only Final at Wentworth Park this Saturday.

For Wentworth Park fields, form and expert tips, click here.