Zipping Willow's racing days have come to an end after an unsuccessful tilt at this year's Golden Easter Egg.
Trainer Jason MACKAY confirmed the retirement of his greyhound, who had 20 triumphs at Wentworth Park, after she finished seventh in her heat last Saturday night.
Racing expert and thedogs.com.au contributor Jeff Collerson said Zipping Willow rated highly in his personal pantheon.
“She was certainly one of my all-time favourite greyhounds to watch at Wentworth Park,” he said. “She’s one of the best I’ve seen there.
“She’s just been a wonderful, wonderful greyhound.”
A daughter of Goodesy x Sirocco Lass, Zipping Willow confirmed her potential immediately with 10 wins from her first 12 starts.
Forming a formidable partnership with gun trainer MACKAY, her first major title came in September 2013 with the Group 3 Canberra Cup.
Arguably her finest career performance came in the Group 3 Ladies Bracelet Final at Wentworth Park in May 2014 – one of 20 wins from 28 starts at the city track.
She went toe-to-toe with fellow NSW star Ritza Hattie before pulling away in the home straight to win the $25,000 first prize.
Other notable wins after that included a scorching 29.35 effort at Wentworth Park in June last year and a 29.48 run over the 520m at Dapto a month later - when Zipping Willow was probably at the peak of her powers.
Injury and illness hampered her quest for the big titles during 2014, though, including shots at the Group 1 Topgun and the Group 2 Black Top.
Those setbacks did not stop Zipping Willow recording an incredible 13 wins from 14 starts between April and August 2014.
She was devastating from the inside boxes, finishing with eight wins from nine starts with the red rug, but also possessed excellent racing sense and the ability to bounce back almost immediately from the odd below-par performance.
“She didn’t always get the perfect box draws, but she still produced some fantastic races,” Collerson said.
“I think she holds the record for the best second and third sectional splits at Wentworth Park, which is remarkable.”
Her last victory - a 34th - came in a Gosford Cup heat on Boxing Day last year.
Zipping Willow finished with 10 other minor placings from her 53 starts.
“Her record at Wentworth Park speaks for itself,” Collerson said.
“Not all top-class greyhounds go on to become top-class producers, but she is from the great dam line so I think she will.”
