2014 Group Three Sydney Cup Field Decided
Zipping Rory made the most of a small field to set the time standard in the heats of the 2014 Group Three Sydney Cup at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
The Bethany Dapiran trained son of Mantra Lad and Cho Chang (Whiskey Assassin – Pacific Style) who was sent out as a $16.70 chance, stopped the clock at a formidable 41.75 en route to an imperious four length victory in the first of two heats at the Glebe circuit.
The red fawn chaser, noted for his strength, had not led a race since July and when he speared the lids from box five to land on the bunny, he was always going to prove hard to catch, regardless of the quality greyhounds behind him.
Odds on favourite Sweet It Is (1) found herself well back and ran on as expected to finish second. As has been the case in many of her recent runs, she struck interference just as she began to loom as a threat and she is becoming a costly investment for many punters.
Dusty Moonshine (8), who could not quite match Zipping Rory in the early speed battle, finished third with My Asuncion (2) grabbing fourth to qualify for next Saturday’s final.
Favourite punters were back in business in heat two when another Victorian, Ruff Cut Diamond (8), also led all the way to win by four lengths.
The Michael Fearnley trained daughter of Bekim Bale and Flowering Lily (Pure Octane – Ikari Lee) showed good early zip to out speed recent Chairman’s Cup winner Zipping Maggie (7) and find the front.
From that point on she gave nothing else a chance as she fashioned out a smart 41.90 victory. Roughie Mr. Corsair (4) finished well to grab second placing in front of Zipping Maggie, while Paddles Anderson (1) held fourth to qualify for next weekend’s $25,000 to-the-winner final.
Box Draw for the 2014 Group Three Sydney Cup
1 – Mr. Corsair (Michelle Shambler)
2 – Ruff Cut Diamond (Michael Fearnley)
3 – My Asuncion (Adele Powell)
4 – Zipping Rory (Bethany Dapiran)
5 – Zipping Maggie (Peter Dapiran)
6 – Sweet It Is (Darren McDonald)
7 – Paddles Anderson (Jodie Lord)
8 – Dusty Moonshine (Denice Warren)
Reserves
9 – Space Star (Dawn Garrett)
10 – Tears Siam (Dawn Garret)