Zipping Novak roars into 2024 Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup final
Zipping Novak, the third-placed greyhound in the 2023 Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup, again showcased his skills on the Central Coast track by securing the fastest qualifying time for the 2024 Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup final.
With a display of speed Zipping Novak, who is sired by Zulu Zeus dominated the competition from the outset, leading comfortably from box two on the way to a 29.03 best-of-night win.
Zipping Novak beat Good Odds Cobber by 7.5 lengths, with both greyhounds qualifying for the Group 2 final paying $40,000 to-the-winner.
2023 Gosford Gold Cup Heat 4 – Zipping Novak (29.03) T: Jason Magri
The win took Zipping Novak's record at Gosford to four wins from five starts at the showground track.
The son of Zulu Zeus and Zipping Meg has now won 22 of his 50 career race starts, running a further 14 placings.
The Jason Magri-trained greyhound will be looking to add the 2024 Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup to his 2022 Group 3 Magic Maiden and 2023 Group 2 Richmond Derby victories.
Neville Brown's talented sprinter Eyes To Eyes displayed was the second-quickest heat winner, winning the opening heat in 29.10.
The recent Group 2 Christmas Gift (Wentworth Park, 520m) runner-up started a firm +100 favourite with greyhound bookmakers despite having to overcome the box five draw.
Any concern the draw presented was quickly dispelled at box-rise when Eyes To Eyes sprung to the lead and led throughout, beating Quantifiable by 4.25 lengths who will also progress to the final.
2023 Gosford Gold Cup Heat 1 – Eyes To Eyes (29.10) T: Neville Brown
The son of Orson Allen and Nangar Jay has now won 12 races from 29 career starts and run a further 11 placings.
Eyes To Eyes will be looking for his first group race victory in next week's final.
My Hepburn proved she will be a handful in the Gosford Gold Cup final, winning the second of the four heats in 29.22, but it was her flying 4.29 (best) first section that could trouble much of her competition if she can reproduce the effort next week.
My Hepburn led all the way from box one, beating Maitland Cup winner Nangar Jim by 3.5 lengths.
2023 Gosford Gold Cup Heat 2 – My Hepburn (29.22) T: Sue Smith
My Hepburn, who was coming off a third placing in the 2023 Group 3 Christmas Gift at Wentworth Park, extended her Gosford 515m record to five wins from six starts at the track and distance.
The daughter of Bernardo and My Sapphire has had 52 starts for 18 wins and 20 placings, earning connections $76,550 in prizemoney.
The third heat of the Gosford Cup was taken out by recent Group 1 Silver Chief runner-up Rocket Riot, who had to overcome a tardy start before reeling in Mortified, who was trying to lead all the way.
Rocket Riot beat Mortified by 1.0 lengths in 29.38, with both greyhounds heading through to the final.
2023 Gosford Gold Cup Heat 3 – Rocket Riot (29.38) T: Sue Smith
Rocket Riot had been sent up for the series to caretaker trainer Peter Lagogiane by Victorian trainer Jason Thompson, who had guided the son of Barcia Bale and Princess Riot for his past four starts in Victoria.
The James Vescos-owned greyhound has had 22 starts for 13 wins and 5 placings.
The box draw for the $40,000 to-the-winner Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup final was done after the heats and has delivered Zippping Novak the prized rails draw.
2024 Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup Final
2024 Gosford Gold Cup Box Draw & FieldGosford515mGroup 2$40,000 to-the-winnerTuesday, January 2, 2024
|
|
 |
1 Zipping Novak
T: Jason Magri F: 6111Career: 50: 22-6-8Prizemoney: $167,900
+120
|
 |
2 Mortified
T: Chris O'Brien F: 7452Career: 40: 19-7-2Prizemoney: $149,740
+1000
|
 |
3 Good Odds Cobber
+1400
|
 |
4 Nangar Jim
T: Joes McFadyen F: 1212Career: 21: 12-7-0Prizemoney: $87,230
+1200
|
 |
5 Eyes To Eyes
T: Neville Brown F: 1221Career: 29: 12-7-4Prizemoney: $66,360
+320
|
 |
6 Quantifiable
T: Chris O'Brien F: 1442Career: 42: 18-7-5Prizemoney: $123,185
+1200
|
 |
7 Rocket Riot
T: Peter Lagogiane F: 3121Career: 22: 13-3-2Prizemoney: $100,470
+600
|
 |
8 My Hepburn
T: Sue Smith F: 1231Career: 52: 18-12-8Prizemoney: $76,550
+1200
|
| Reserves | |
 |
9 Has Ability
T: Stuart Hazlett F: 4313Career: 38: 12-10-5Prizemoney: $74,760
+1000
|
 |
10 Frisky Felon
+4000
|
.jpg){kind=logo}
Odds correct at time of publication