Faith in ‘Rambo’

Around 13 years ago, Mark and Lisa Delbridge purchased the 40-acre property of a loyal greyhound client, Gary Black, under a mutual arrangement.

And they say it’s now time to repay the faith with Zipping Rambo in the Group 1 RSN Sandown Cup final (715m) at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

“Gary’s been in the sport for at least 30 years… He’s not in it for the money, he’s in it for the enjoyment,” Delbridge said. “It would be nice to win it for him. He’s stuck by us and has put a lot of money into the industry.”

A retired company director, Black, 75, paid $20,000 for Zipping Rambo (May ’18 Mister Twister x Zipping Maggie) after he’d won four races from seven starts in NSW. It’s already a shrewd investment, but a $175,000 winner’s purse is up for grabs in the Sandown Cup.

Since joining ‘Team Delbridge’, Zipping Rambo has won 10 races (with four seconds and one third) from 22 starts. His overall record now reads 29 starts for 14 wins, six seconds, two thirds and stakes totalling $69,490.

He won first up for the Delbridges at Warragul over 400m on November 3 last year. But over the past four months he’s proven a middle-distance revelation, winning four metropolitan races – two over 600m at The Meadows and two over 595m at Sandown Park – and a GDR Special Event (650m) at Warrnambool.

In fact, Zipping Rambo clocked a staggering 33.66sec at Sandown Park on April 8. It was only a half-length off the great Dyna Double One’s 33.63sec track record, set on January 28, 2016.

Zipping Rambo has only had two staying starts – and talk about a ‘baptism of fire’!

He finished second to WA star Zack Monelli in a lead-up to the Sandown Cup series and was second to NSW sensation Stanley Road in a Cup heat last week. Both are duly recognised as Australia’s top two distance exponents.

Subsequently, Zipping Rambo (Box 4) has been the biggest market mover in TAB’s fixed odds betting for the Sandown Cup – firming dramatically from $12 into $5. He certainly provides plenty of X-factor in the final.

“I was rapt with his heat run and he’s pulled up a treat,” Mark Delbridge said.

“He got pushed wide at the 595-metre boxes and had to bust his boiler to try and bridge the gap on Stanley Road. I think there’s definite improvement in him.

“And I’m not surprised they’ve ‘come for him’ in the betting, but I would have preferred box one, two or three. He’s got a bit of early stride, but I’d like him to take a ‘sit’ not too far off the lead.

“If he can hold out Zack Monelli, I think he can win. Stanley Road will get back but has a huge motor. And the other two (Tyler Durden and Kenny The Brute), who made their staying debuts in the heats, must come into calculations.”

Delbridge adds “Rambo” – as he’s affectionately known – knows when it’s race day. “He’s a bit full on and has plenty of character!”

The G1 RSN Sandown Cup is Race 8 at 8.27pm.

WATCH: Staying revelation Zipping Rambo (8) finishes a gallant second to NSW staying supremo Stanley Road (1) in a G1 Sandown Cup heat last week.

Get your tickets to the Premier Punters Club on RSN Sandown Cup night featuring a $10,000 starting pool! Contact the club to find out more.