He is the most exciting young prospect in NSW but the TAB Million Dollar Chase isn't on the agenda for the undefeated Zipping Orlando who will be chasing his fourth win in as many appearances in Wednesday night's NSW GBOTA Welcome Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Zipping Orlando has drawn ideally in box one and could be sent out hottest Wentworth Park favourite of the year following his scorching 29.58 win in his debut at headquarters last Wednesday night.
"He doesn't turn two until January so is too young for the Million Dollar Chase, we'll let him find his legs first,'' said Minnie Finn, whose husband trains the Marty and Fiona Hallinan owned and bred sensation.
"Instead Zipping Orlando will be aiming for the Young Star series, for youngsters whelped on or after April 1, 2020.
"Heats are on September 17 with the final, worth $25,000 to the winner, a week later.
"We weren't really surprised Zipping Orlando ran 29.58 last week because as an unraced puppy he trialled in 29.64 at Wenty.
"John and I also have Zipping Karen in Zipping Orlando's race but if we trialled them together Orlando would beat her 10 lengths.
"Still, Zipping Karen is well drawn in box eight so could run a place.''
When Especially Rare led all the way to win her maiden race at Wentworth Park in March she clocked 30.39 but the Tom Rees-trained bitch has improved considerably and is boxed to win Wednesday's Ladbrokes Mates Mode Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Especially Rare led all the way for her initial victory but while her time was nothing flash she went fast out wide to lead from the first turn and won by nine lengths.
Ibrox Wildfire, the greyhound who chased Especially Rare home that night, has since won five races at Wentworth Park so the form around Rees' bitch is excellent.
Especially Rare recorded her personal best Wentworth Park time when she clocked 29.91 chasing Zipping Orlando home last week and while she had box one in that race her tendency to run in the middle of the track sees her well positioned on Wednesday in box seven.
Cracker Night sprang a surprise when he ran down $1.40 favourite Silver Luck over 720m at Wentworth Park last Wednesday and is boxed to repeat the performance when they clash in this Wednesday's 720m fifth grade.
Cracker Night was a $14 chance last week but trainer Ashley Dwyer said: "He had been threatening to do that for a while.
"He trialled 30sec flat over 520m at Wentworth Park earlier this year before he contested a 720m race but he disappointed me in that night's race.
"Hopefully he is switched on again now because his second behind Foxy Bourbski over 618m at Bathurst on August 8 was a good effort and then he came out and won over 720m at Wenty nine days later.
"Cracker Night had box two last week and has the same draw against similar opposition on Wednesday so should be hard to beat.''
Ritza Donna is a group one winner but her sister Ritza Skylar was superior when they were educated so it was no surprise she recorded her personal best Wentworth Park time of 29.76 when she won last Wednesday night.
The Mark Gatt-trained Ritza Skylar is well drawn in box two and Wednesday's ninth event, a 520m fifth grade, and should only need to get close to last week's time to win again.
Mark Gatt said: "When they were broken in Ritza Skylar was a fair bit quicker than Ritza Donna.
"But Ritza Donna is a real little race bitch, she gets the job done, while Ritza Skylar is not as reliable.
"However she has come back well after a spell and pulled up nicely after her fast Wentworth Park win last week.''
