Zipping Sheldon Devastates Opposition in Best of Year Run
In a week marred by the unwelcome return of kennel cough highlights were few and far between. The stand out moment of the week though was undoubtedly the sensational time posted by Zipping Sheldon in the Thursday Place Pick Stakes at Class Five level at Addington Raceway.
A string of unfavourable box draws have been a challenge for Sheldon since entering the country as he had yet to draw inside box five before finally receiving the coveted red rug. After a massive run for second in the Spion Rose heat in a best on night time from box five, Sheldon had to deal with arguably the worst box at Hatrick Raceway for the 520m journey in the eight for the final.
Zipping Sheldon was well supported for the Spion Rose final but a slow start from a very tough draw was too much to overcome. The support would continue to come for him on Thursday evening as at start 18 he gained his first career start from inside box three. The box three statistics spoke very well for Sheldon, unbeaten in three attempts in the white rug. The money was coming thick and fast for him as he would close at $1.90 fixed from an opening quote of $3.60. As the boxes opened there was only one dog to be on as Sheldon jumped well, booted up and put a massive gap in some very good performers. Leonard Bale and He’s Ali were a couple of Sheldon’s kennel mates that were left behind as he exploded mid-race, opening a big gap up in the field with a 17.67s split. The Craig Roberts trained brindle dog out of Mister Twister and Zipping Maggie maintained a solid speed to run home in 11.97s posting an overall time of 29.64s, less than a length outside Bago Bye Bye’s track record.
Taieri Missile for Ray Casey returned to class five sprinting in a big way after his Galaxy Semi-final exit to Buddy Boom last month. Fresh off a restricted age victory the week prior the Missile demonstrated his ability defeating a handy class five field in a meeting best time of 17.02s for the 295m journey. Taieri Missile brings his stakes over the $10,000 mark with 8 wins and five placings from 17 career starts. The second class five sprint at Addington Raceway on Thursday night matched the in form Malcolm Grant trained Starburst George with the John McInerney prepared Mitcham Magic, who has also been ultra-consistent of late. Mitcham Magic used the inside draw of box three to great advantage spearing off the traps in a 5.87s first section. Starburst George managed to get himself into a winning position outside the leader from an unfavourable box seven, but was unable to cross. Mitcham Magic held on to victory in an overall time of 17.26s from the fast-finishing Oakmont for Daniel Lane, and Starburst George who will derive great benefit from the second up run on the back of a fortnight off.
Written by Shane Kendall
