Hallinan’s Chances Zipping Along In Centrebet Magic Maiden
Renowned breeders Martin and Fiona Hallinan seem to have the midas touch when it comes to producing winners with five of their charges from the same litter contesting the Mega Maiden semi-finals tonight at Wentworth Park. By Malfoy out of Or Catra, it would be no surprise to anyone that the entire litter has group class ability.
Or Catra has been one of the most successful broodbitches of the modern era with some of her most famous offspring including: Kinga Zac (29.69 at Wentworth Park), Beer Assassin (Current Canberra track record holder) and Glen Abbey Man (29.68 at Wentworth Park).
Tonight, Zipping Malfoy, trained by Anthony Azzopardi and Zipping Man, Zipping Catra, Zipping Lad and Zipping Jewel all trained by Jason Mackay. The most impressive out of the litter in last week's heats was Zipping Jewel.
On a wet Wentworth Park track, some impressive times were still recorded by the winners and Zipping Jewel took the crown with best of the night honours with a notable 29.99. After beginning from the difficult box six, she accelerated extremely quickly to lead from start to finish. Although drawn wide in box eight, her impressive early speed should see her get across from the wide draw and challenge the for the lead.
After drawing the coveted box one, Zipping Man will be looking to take full advantage of his good box draw in semi-final one. After beginning well in his heat last week, he was hampered several times in his run to the first turn before mowing down the leaders in recording a respectable 30.21. With a clear run this week he should definitely lower his personal best.
One to watch in semi-final one is Susan Pitstock's Nirvana Keroma. After falling out of the boxes in his heat last week he was two lengths behind the last dog going around the first turn, and despite having his heels checked twice, still took several lengths of the distance between himself and the leader to run second. If his box manners can improve, he will definitely be charging home and can threaten the leaders.
Jason Mackay dominates semi-final two with his compatriots Zipping Catra and Zipping Lad drawn side by side in boxes two and three. Zipping Lad was successful last week in 30.21 from box two leading from start too finish, while Zipping Catra was run down by litter mate Zipping Malfoy trained by Anthony Azzopardi in 30.14.
Despite drawing poorly in box six, Queensland astute trainer Tony Brett's Queen Cleopatra comes with plenty of expectation being a half-sister to Wentworth Park record holder and legendary bitch Queen Lauryn. She began respectfully from box one and even though she was crowded and checked at the first turn, showed determination in pushing her way through to take the lead out of the first turn in recording a time of 30.41. If she can avoid trouble tonight, she will certainly threaten the leaders.
Zipping Jewel was the fastest qualifier from the heats last week with a sizzling 29.99 despite a rain drenched Wentworth Park track. Exiting from box eight in semi-final three, her early pace should help her get across from the wide draw and secure a final's spot. Successful trainer Brendan Wheeler's charge Dyna Barj will start from box one.
After a solid heat win from the tricky box six in 30.41 he was subjected to repeated interference before rounding up the leaders at the top of the home turn and charging away to win by almost six lengths. With an easier box draw this week, connections should be confident he can secure a solid victory and progress through to next week's final.
Three heat winners from last week are featured in the final semi-final. The most impressive was Anthony Azzopardi's Zipping Malfoy who recorded the best time of the field, clocking 30.14 last week. After beginning from box one in his heat, the beautifully bred youngster checked off the heels of the leader before he slowly mowed down the leader to record a solid personal best. Starting from box one this week Neil Falls' Cold Fusion began moderately from box eight last week before mustering solid speed to take the lead at the top of the home turn in 30.66. With definite signs of improvement, a good box draw should help his chances to improve on his time from last week.
The other heat winner in the field is Texas Chase trained by John Reason. After beginning brilliantly from box three, he led from start to finish in recording a personal best of 30.39. Despite drawing box seven in this week's semi-final, his early speed should help him get across and force for the lead. Upperdeck is also one to watch from box eight, sensationally bred by Pure Octane out of Lucy Jet, he found trouble at the first turn before chasing down Cold Fusion to run second beaten by only two lengths, with plenty of improvement in him tonight.
The winner and second placegetter will progress through to next week's $25,000 final with the two fastest third placegetters will be the reserves. The first semi-final is race 2 tonight at Wentworth Park at 6.54pm.
The full fields are:
1st: $3,200 2nd: $680 3rd: $320 Unplaced: $50.
No.NameFormTrainer
1st: $3,200 2nd: $680 3rd: $320 Unplaced: $50.
No.NameFormTrainer
1st: $3,200 2nd: $680 3rd: $320 Unplaced: $50.
No.NameFormTrainer
1st: $3,200 2nd: $680 3rd: $320 Unplaced: $50.
No.NameFormTrainer