NSW's most successful breeder Marty Hallinan has three of the eight finalists in Saturday night's group 3 Ladbrokes Christmas Gift final at Wentworth Park but fastest qualifier Zipping Novak looks clearly is his best chance following the box draw.
Zipping Novak, who came from box six to win heat one by two lengths from early leader Coast Model in a sizzling 29.54, has drawn two in the $25,000 to the winner final.
Peter Rodgers' Simply Limelight came from third on the back straight to win heat two by just under a length from the fast finishing Zipping Alabama in 29.83, but he has drawn awkwardly in five in the final.
"Before tonight Cumbria Dave had been placed in two of his three Wentworth Park races but I'm particularly thrilled to win with him because he is named after my brother-in-law who died of cancer at just 49 years of age,'' Fitch said later.
"So I'll be definitely buying a photograph of the win to present to my sister.''
Tarawi Ferrari continued his love affair with box eight when he won for trainer David Smith and owner Lorraine Atchison, as the dog has drawn the extreme outside trap in four of his past six starts and won them all.
Tarawi Rocky had luck on his side as he secured a dream run from fourth on the back straight when pacemaker Our Boy Duke was galloped on from behind by Came And Went, ruining the chances of the two pacemakers.
Nelly Intention joined the long list of "giveaway" greyhounds to win at headquarters when she led throughout for owner-trainer Andrew Bell over 520m in a nippy 30.10.
After the race Bell explained: "I won four races with Lana Intention, a greyhound I got from an owner in Victoria, so I contacted him and asked him if he had any more dogs available.
"He offered to give me Nelly Intention for nothing after she had won once in nine starts and she has been a good little money spinner, winning four races and filling a dozen placings in NSW.''
