Jason MACKAY landed his second Group 3 Evans & Son Jewellers Ladies Bracelet in three years when Zipping Lilly overcame a poor draw to score a determined win in the feature event at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
After a fair start Zipping Lilly zipped into third position at the first turn where Too Many Daddys led from Good Odds Angel.
The Tracey Hurst-trained Good Odds Angel dashed around Too Many Daddys to hit the front on the back straight, but the latter, trained by Denice Warren, railed to regain the lead on the home turn.
Zipping Lilly had been gradually making up ground at this point and after being baulked for a run slightly at the top of the straight, she was able to grab Too Many Daddys right on the line to win by a half head in 30.08.
Good Odds Angel was a fading third, two and three quarters of a length away, with Tap Out Rose, who received a bump at the first corner, fourth.
Fastest qualifier All A Blaze was never a chance after being a distinct last to leave the starting boxes, while race favourite Fantastic Skye was outpaced after beginning cleanly and was fourth most of the way before winding up fifth.
“Early in her career Zipping Lilly tended to flop out of the boxes and then charge towards the rails,” MACKAY said after the race.
"The difference now is that she begins a little better and works her way across to the fence rather than veering over sharply.”
Cardiology, who was surprisingly run down after setting a scorching pace over 720m at Wentworth Park on April 30, confirmed her potential of being a long-distance star of the future with a slick 42.14 performance in Saturday night's opening event.
The Kayla-Jane COLEMAN trained greyhound jumped in front from box six and won by just over 11 lengths in a personal best time.
“When Cardiology was beaten last week she was having her first race for 10 days so maybe that gap left her a bit short of condition in the run home,” COLEMAN said.
Cardiology's win was a consolation for COLEMAN as that greyhound's equally talented sister and kennelmate Where Art Thou tore a pin muscle while campaigning in Melbourne last week and will be sidelined for up to six weeks.
One Hill's fastest time of the night effort in Saturday's fifth grade Bowreys Bales Stakes has put an impending middle distance campaign on hold.
The Charlie Lamb-trained greyhound began better than usual from box five and after heading off Awesome Danny at the first turn, raced away to win by nine lengths.
One Hill broke 30 seconds for the first time in eight Wentworth Park appearances, stopping the clock at 29.72.
“I was going to step One Hill up to 600m after tonight but now that he has gone so well I'll bring him back to Wenty for another 520m race or two,” Lamb said.
The only other greyhound to get under the 30 second barrier on Saturday night was Black Bear Lee, who recorded 29.76 when scoring his 12th Wentworth Park win in the top grade 520m race.
Twist Me Over ended a frustrating run for Nowra Hill trainer Garry Edwards when she led all the way in a personal best 30.07 in another 520m fifth grade on Saturday night.
Twist Me Over began brilliantly from box one, recording splits of 5.39 and 13.84 on her way to a comfortable win in 30.07.
“All my greyhounds have been feeling well and looking a million dollars but have not been winning,” Edwards remarked.
"Even last week when Twist Me Over had box one at Wentworth Park I thought she would lead all the way but she sprawled at the start and was never in the hunt.
"Tonight she did what I expected last time, she jumped in front and mad full use of the inside box.
"On top of that she went the equivalent of three lengths faster than she has ever gone at Wentworth Park so to say I'm relieved is spot on."
