Rob Camilleri fears impressive heat winners Zipping Zarbo and Slingshot Titan will make the race for high class rival Weblec Ace in Tuesday afternoon’s lucrative President’s Cup Final (485m) at Horsham.
Camilleri and partner Deb Coleman clean-swept the two President’s Cup heats, with Zipping Zarbo running a best of meeting 27.20s, while Bendigo Cup finalist Slingshot Titan clocked 27.31s, his ninth win from his last 12 starts.
Both overcame box five to lead all-the-way, with Slingshot Titan holding the fast-finishing Weblec Ace at bay to remain unbeaten in two appearances at Horsham, while Zipping Zarbo also defeated a Jeff Britton-trained ‘Weblec’ sprinter in Weblec Haze.
Zipping Zarbo and Slingshot Titan have drawn next to each other in boxes six and seven respectively for Tuesday’s final and Camilleri is concerned the speedy duo will hand Weblec Ace (box 8), one of three Jeff Britton-trained finalists, a saloon passage.
Weblec Ace, which ran down superstar Simon Told Helen to win the Victorian Final of the National Sprint last month and won the Group 3 Cranbourne Classic just on a year ago, also had box eight in his heat when he stormed home to just miss.
“The way they’re drawn we’re probably just going to give Weblec Ace the perfect cart across,” Camilleri said.
“Our two were very fortunate in their heats because they jumped near the lead and had clear runs. They looked impressive because nothing touched them.
“I don’t know how long we can lead for in the final because Weblec Ace is very strong and our two aren’t what you would call true 500m dogs.
“If he’s sitting behind us I think we’ll be in a bit of strife half-way down the straight.
“You need a good 500m dog over the 485m at Horsham because it’s a very long straight and suits powerful finishers.
“Whenever Slingshot Titan jumps to the front he runs well and I think Zipping Zarbo has plenty of upside. We’re rapt to have them both in the final and you can’t win sitting at home in your kennel.”
The President’s Cup, worth $15,000 to-the-winner, is race 8 on Tuesday’s twilight Horsham meeting, to jump at 5.34pm.
