Flying Zulu wins his fourth race form five starts at Shepparton
Flying Zulu made it two wins from two starts at Shepparton on Monday, serving up a great performance to run down the leader, Artemis One, who was trying to lead all the way.
In the 450m restricted-win heat, the Jason Thompson-trained chaser was sent to the boxes as the -142.86 race favourite with greyhound bookmakers
Jumping from the two box, he got out to sit in third as Artemis One (+2170) hit the front.
Around the final corner, Flying Zulu traveled wide to sweep past the leader and take out the heat.
He beat home Zadie (+170) by 2.23 lengths in 25.38, who ran home hard from second last early to finish second, passing the tiring early leader.
Shepparton 1-4 Win 450m Heat 1 Oct 23, 2023 – Flying Zulu (25.38) T: Jason Thompson
The win bounced Flying Zulu back into the winner's circle after finishing sixth at the Sandown Park 515m trip in his last start on October 12.
Kennel handler Luke Thompson said the performance was impressive, given his last performance.
“It was a handy win,” he said.
“He begun with them, which is an improvement on how he'd been jumping of late.
“He ran into a dead end, picked himself up and pulled away in the run home.”
From a litter of six out of Cyclone Jebel and by Orson Allen, the most successful performer is reigning Group 2 Bendigo Cup winner Alpha Zulu, who has won 14 from 19 starts with a further four minor placings and has banked $141,925 in prize money.
Flying Zulu has the potential to be a future superstar, having banked $10,030 in winnings with an 80% winning strike rate from five career race starts.
Thompson said that as a young dog who is still learning, he would continue to work through the grades at this stage.
The other 1-4 win restricted heat was taken out by the Paul Abela-trained Isle's Entity in 25.15.
Isle's Entity was dropping significantly in grade, having her first start back in Victoria after finishing unplaced in the 2023 Million Dollar Chase Consolation final at Wentworth Park on October 13.
Shepparton 1-4 Win 450m Heat 2 Oct 23, 2023 – Isle's Entity (25.15) T: Paul Abela
The 1-4 Win Restricted Final at Shepparton will be very keenly contested, with the first four across the line in both heats making the final eight dogs.
However, the opposition will have its work cut out beating either of the two heat winners, as both will eventually rise to black-type level greyhound racing in a short time.