The instructions to Minnie Finn from her husband John at home were very, very clear – put more on.
It was approaching race time for the prestigious Ladbrokes Zoom Top Maiden Final at Goulburn and Minnie had called from down south to remind John the $25,000 to the winner race was upcoming.
“I just called him to let him know the race was the next race and he asked me what price he (ZIPPING Orlando) was and I told him,” said Minnie who also had ZIPPING Orlando’s sister Zipping Mercedes in the final. “He just said put more on.”
Starting at $4.20, there were concerns where ZIPPING Orlando would be from his box five draw and after being second last on settling, he showed great track sense to stay on the rail and push through to be just behind the leaders on the home turn, before charging home late to secure the final.
“I’m pretty excited. Going into the first turn I could see him pretty close to them and I thought he’d be very hard to hold out,” Minnie said.
“He’s been good with his early education, and he’d be up there with the best in trials, but as you know they have to do it in a race. So far, he’s ticking all the boxes.”
ZIPPING Orlando had been the fastest heat winner last Friday, but the draw was a concern and hence bookmakers took a chance with him, to their detriment and John’s good fortune.
ZIPPING Orlando had ¾ length to spare over the fast-finishing Rockstar Apollo, with early leader Len Me Dad a further ¾ length away in third.
The feature race win is just the latest success for owners Marty and Fiona Hallinan and their boom young sire ZIPPING Garth.
“Marty put ZIPPING Garth over a lot of his bitches and it’s paid off,” said Minnie. “We have had a couple of litters now and were very happy with them. They chase hard and do what they have got to do and it’s paying off.”
