Zipping Midge surprised even trainer Jason Mackay by heading off fastest qualifier Spring Leaf to score an easy win in the Group 1 National Futurity at Wentworth Park.
Rocketing out of the boxes, Zipping Midge (pictured, white rug, winning her semi final) set a first section time of 5.37, leading the field through the first turn and was never headed, winning by three lengths in 29.80.
Click here to watch the replay of the National Futurity.
After the race big race specialist trainer Jason Mackay said: “I am a realist and did not think Zipping Midge could win a Group 1 event at only her ninth start, especially from box six.
"I expected Jingjing, in box seven, to cut Zipping Midge out at the start but fortunately for me and owners Marty and Fiona Hallinan, Zipping Midge came out humming."
Spring Leaf chased Zipping Midge from the first turn to finish second with her kennelmate Dyna Nico, trained by Andrea Dailly, holding third spot from that point to the finish.
There was drama when Ella Has Class, who had been first to jump, broke down and failed to complete the course.
Her trainer Dean Swain, who won the 2014 Futurity, the last run at Unibet Gardens, with Rue De Kahn, and later it was found that Ella Has Class had torn a hip support.
"She might also have injured stomach muscles but we’ll have to wait until she has a thorough veterinary examination to determine the extent of her problems," Swain’s wife Danielle said later.
The win took Zipping Midge's record to five wins from nine starts and she has now earned almost $90,000 in prizemoney.
