Zipping Kyrgios headlines Finn’s Million Dollar Chase chances
She qualified an amazing three runners for the Million Dollar Chase Final at Wentworth Park this Saturday night, but Minnie Finn reserved some emotional praise for “my boy”, Zipping Kyrgios.
The three-year-old produced a very impressive time of 29.49 seconds to win the sixth semi-final and qualify for the world’s richest greyhound race last Friday night.
He is peaking at the right moments, after running the same time to win the MDC Regional Final at Richmond on September 2.
And just as importantly, the dog with 31 wins from 71 career starts will relish all the eyes that will be on him this weekend.
This is exactly why Finn has always had a special place in her heart for him.
“He’s my boy. There’s only one of him,” she said.
“He’s just such a beautiful dog. He loves the attention.
“From the first day we got him I just fell in love with him.”
And what a fairytale it would be if Zipping Kyrgios triumphs, with owners Marty and Fiona Hallinan to make a call on the three-year-old’s future after Saturday night.
Could the 2022 MDC Final be his last race?
“Yes, but you never know. For sure it would be a fairytale (if it is). Let’s hope he can do it,” Finn said.
Apart from his apparent natural ability and love of big-race pressure, Finn said Zipping Kyrgios would make the perfect pet.
“We’ve had a lot of dogs who have won a lot prizemoney, but he’s just one of those dogs,” she said.
“He’s just so beautiful in the kennels. He’s going to make a beautiful pet. We just love him.
“(He’ll be on) my couch; my bed.”
Zipping Kyrgios making the MDC Final – and subsequently drawing box three for this Saturday night – capped a night Finn will never forget.
Earlier in the evening, Gatlin and Zipping Alabama also qualified for the Chase decider.
They will start from box five and eight, respectively.
And they too produced stunning efforts, Gatlin crossing in a blinding 29.28 seconds and Zipping Alabama in 29.41 seconds.
Starting from box four on Friday night, Gatlin – this year’s Group 1 Vic Peters Classic Final winner – finished three lengths outside the Wentworth Park track record.
He previous best at the historic venue was 29.92 seconds.
“When he led I thought he’d be hard to run down,” Finn said.
Finn said Gatlin’s thought processes can be a little bit left-field, but when he puts it together he’s hard to beat.
“He’s got a funny mind, but when I saw him going he was putting in,” she said.
“I’m lost for words.
“He’s finally done what we know he can do. I never, ever thought he’d run that time, but he kept going the whole way.”
And three-year-old bitch Zipping Alabama is also in a purple patch of form, winning her past three starts.
She ran times of 29.52 and 29.36 seconds also at Wentworth Park on August 31 and September 10 leading up to Friday night’s outstanding effort.
What has clicked for her?
“I’d love to know myself. All we can put it down to is we gave her a bit of box work,” Finn said.
“She seems to be going in and going out a bit better.
“And she’s coming out well.
“I was confident around the first turn when she slotted in behind the nine (Orchestrate) and the two (Vamoose).”