Zeus To Be Let Loose On Melbourne

By Jeff Collerson
Loose Zeus will be taken to Melbourne for a trial at Sandown, venue for the group one Melbourne Cup later this year, following his powerful win in a 520m fifth grade at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

Loose Zeus came from fourth at the half-way mark to win Saturday's race running away, covering the trip in 30.31.

"He has now won three races at Wentworth Park and is a lot better dog than most people think, he can run time anywhere I take him,'' trainer Harry Sarkis said,

"Loose Zeus had no luck when sixth to Snowman at Wenty on August 26 because he was dragged down in the early stages.

"And I'm convinced the roomy Sandown track will suit him so from a long range viewpoint I am thinking he might be worth entering for the Melbourne Cup.

"I will take him to Sandown to trial him and see how he handles the track, hopefully next week.'' 


Froch, named after British super middleweight Carl Froch, who won four world titles, scored his fifth win in just 12 starts by running down Supreme Identity to land a 520m fifth grade on Saturday night in 30.29.

Trained by Tania Nieuwendyk, Froch had previously won at Wentworth Park on July 19.

Nieuwendyk's partner Glenn Starr said: "Loma, who ran fourth in another 520m fifth grade on Saturday night, is a litter brother to Froch and is actually a good bit faster.

"But Loma lacks pace and when you don't have that early speed you are always going to need luck.''

Loma is named after the Ukrainian lightweight champion boxer Vasily Lomachenko, with Starr explaining: "We named the dogs in the litter we bred from our bitch Disco Bolero after fighters and named the girls after models.''


Miss Zipper took out a 520m fifth grade on Saturday night in 30.32 without having enjoyed the benefit of a race or trial on the Wentworth Park track.

After Miss Zipper led throughout and just hung on to win by a half head from the fast finishing Check The Radar, trainer Robert Howard said: "She likes to use a bit of the track which is why she got a bit wide on the first turn.

"But Miss Zipper has plenty of ability and whenever I trial her at Gosford she can clock around 29.40 for the 515m trip.'' 

Howard may have been unlucky not to notch a second winner as in the following race, Miss Zipper's kennelmate Time To Go also made the pace but was caught on the line and beaten a neck by the John Callaughan-trained Nara Spirit in 30.39.

"Like Miss Zipper, Time To Go had not seen Wenty Park until Saturday night so I was happy with her run,'' Howard said.

"She is only a little thing, around 25kg, but is a good chaser and whenever I trial them there is nothing between her and Miss Zipper.''

Time To Go may have been unlucky as she had box three, and was hampered at box rise when Tarawi Moo, in box four, veered left.


Only greyhound to break 30sec at Wentworth Park on Saturday night was the Peter Sims-trained Rampani, who overcame a mediocre getaway and had to come from third on the home bend in taking out a 520m fifth grade in 29.90.