Box one helps Jack to fastest run of the night

By Jeff Collerson

Showtime Jack, who had been placed in three of four previous Wentworth Park starts, showed the benefit of drawing box one when he posted a fastest time of the night winning performance on Saturday.

Trained by Hagob "Jack" Tatian, Showtime Jack led throughout to win a 520m fifth grade in 29.87s, which was .03s quicker than Bathurst Cup winner Nangar Diva took in her all the way win in a Golden Easter Egg Prelude.

"I was quietly confident Tonight because Showtime Jack had not drawn closer to the rails than box four in his previous eight races, yet he had won twice and been placed in three from four Wenty races,'' Tatian said.

"People kept telling me Showtime Jack wants box eight but while he does get off the track slightly, give me box one for him every time.''

Showtime Jack's part-owner and breeder Bradley Sabotic raced the dog's dam Midnight Mystic, who was a dour stayer.

"I mated her with Unlawful Entry to get Showtime Jack because Midnight Mystic was a long-distance bitch and I figured that by putting her to a fast dog like Unlawful Entry we might get some pups with a bit of early speed,'' Sabotic said.

Zipping Junior took 30.30s to win Saturday's NSW Bred Maiden Final but the Jason Magri-trained dog put up another outstanding effort to score by a neck.

Zipping Junior came from a long way back to win his heat 10 days ago in 30.34s and showed a tremendous will to win again on Saturday, coming from fourth at the top of the straight.

Strapper Luke Adams, standing in for Magri at Wentworth Park, said later: "On Tuesday night Zipping Junior clocked 23.94s in a post-to-post slip at Wenty, and that is absolutely airborne.

"Zipping Junior is one of the Marty Hallinan-owned litter by Zulu Zeus from Crafty Lady, and three of them have now broken 24 in post-to-post slips at Wenty, which is remarkable.''

Bad Ronnie, who went into his 520m fifth grade on Saturday with three wins and 20 seconds at Wentworth Park, finally broke through for another victory when he got up on the line to beat Bad Neighbour by a neck.

Bad Ronnie came from last at the first turn, fifth on the back straight and fourth on the home bend to score.

"He is such a big dog, nearly 39 kilograms, that if he receives a knock it takes him a long while to re-group,'' trainer Craig Sheridan said.

"Tonight he only got one little bump so that enabled him to get up and win.''

Blinken Billy ran home in a smart 11.72 when he came from second early to win a 520m fifth grade on Saturday in 30.10s.

After the race trainer Ruth King said: "Blinken Billy is very strong and is capable of winning beyond 520m, he can run a solid 600m.''

Training honours on Saturday were once again with Jason Magri, who followed his win with Zipping Junior by taking out a 520m fifth grade with What A Debacle.

What A Debacle had been placed in five of six Wentworth Park races before opening his account last Wednesday with a fast 29.90s victory.

He ran down Prim And Proper on Saturday in 30.04s, while that greyhound's litter sister and kennelmate Look Fancy Nancy was responsible for the win of the night in 30.07s.

Look Fancy Nancy was badly checked when third at the first turn but recovered brilliantly to be second on the home turn before surging away in the straight.