20-year old Ned McDonald is chasing Group 1 glory in his first year of greyhound training tomorrow night at The Meadows in the Group 1 Hume Cup with Zipping Zeek.
“It’s a thrill to be in a Group 1 but I don’t think it has hit me in the face yet,” Ned McDonald told James Van de Maat on SENtrack’s Thrill Of The Chase program.
Zipping Zeek was formally trained by Martin Hallinan who is also the owner and breeder of the son of Zulu Zeus and Crafty Lady.
“To have people like Marty Hallinan have a bit of faith in me and send the dogs down and for the dog to do well is an absolute thrill.”
The former NSW greyhound was the fastest qualifier (34.10sec) for the $75,000 Group 1 Hume Cup in his first attempt over the middle distance.
“In his heat he ran down a Group 1 winner (Perfect Marshall) over the distance and I didn’t expect him to go that quick first time over 600. You can hope that he will go the same or improve with another run under his belt,” McDonald said.
WATCH: Zipping Zeek win his heat from box two.
Zipping Zeek has drawn box seven tomorrow night at The Meadows in his second attempt over the middle distance.
“I would have loved to have been drawn down on the fence but to be as young as I am, and in the game as short as I have, it doesn’t really matter what box you have – it’s just great to be a part of.”
The Group 1 Hume Cup is set up to be a cracker with Last Hurrah (box three) the $3 TAB favourite to win his seventh consecutive race and first Group 1.
Zipping Zeek and Last Hurrah also have to contend with Meadows Speed Star talent Christo Bale who will jump from box eight.
“Zipping Zeek has pulled up unbelievable from his first 600 and he should be just right to show us what he can do,” McDonald said.
The Group 1 Hume Cup is the opening leg of the Metro Festival Racing. The support card cannot be laughed at with the Group 3 Silver Bullet pulling some of the states hottest sprinters including Simon Told Helen and Dr Tucker.
