After running a deceptive last start sixth in the Group 3 Speed Star, Zipping Hamish is primed to return to the winners list at Warragul on Saturday night, according to trainer Carolyn Jones.
A son of Jones’ champion 2010 Melbourne Cup winner El Grand Senor, Zipping Hamish actually won his Speed Star match race at The Meadows in a fast 29.84s, but finished unplaced behind winner Christo Bale on overall times.
Zipping Hamish has won only once in four appearances at Warragul but clocked a flying 25.55s on that occasion and while he requires ongoing maintenance Jones expects him to prove hard to beat in race 8 on Saturday’s card, which will jump at 9.14pm.
“He did pull up a bit sore after the Speed Star; he always kind of does,” Jones explained.
“So he’s had a bit of a let-up and I’ll put him in fresh at Warragul.
“He’s a nice dog but he’s had ongoing metacarpal issues.
“I’m really happy with him mentally and physically at the moment – he’s as fit as he’s ever been and he’s as switched on as he’s ever been – but with the soreness it’s very hard to give him the work he needs.
“We always thought he would get 600m but in his last few runs he hasn’t run on like he usually does.
“He just needs some luck in the first few metres on Saturday. If he gets the timing right and is somewhere near the front he should have a good chance.”
Jones is also taking Zipping Samara, a litter sister to Zipping Hamish, to Warragul for the Damsels Dash (race 6 at 8.34pm), while Campanita, bred and raced by Jones, will take aim at back-to-back Warragul victories in the fourth event at 7.54pm.
“Zipping Samara hasn’t been running out the 500m so she’s dropping back to 460m,” Jones explained.
“She’s had a few goes at Warragul and doesn’t seem to have any luck there. She’s a Grade 5 there and she hasn’t been in too many Grade 5s.
“The dogs in the litter seem to begin a bit better from the inside but I think box seven should be okay.
“Campanita won her last start at Warragul but only ran very slow time (26.64s). At this stage she doesn’t seem to race as well as she trials.
“Zipping Hamish is my best chance, all things being equal, but they’ve all got a chance with a bit of luck.”
