Tonight's Group 2 PPK Group Limited Maitland Cup heat meeting gets off to a rip-roaring start with track specialists ZIPPING Saxon and Winsome Jacko clashing in the opening heat.
ZIPPING Saxon is unbeaten in two starts over the Maitland 450m Cup journey while Winsome Jacko (pictured), the 400m Maitland record holder, trialled brilliantly over the longer trip last week.
“(Winsome) Jacko went within a tick of Winsome Prince’s 450m record of 24.79 in a trial after the last race at Maitland last week,’’ trainer Melinda Finn said.
While Winsome Jacko (box three) will relish having a vacant box on his right, the draw slightly favours ZIPPING Saxon.
The Jason MACKAY-trained dog has box one and should get a clear passage early courtesy of front runner Pierro Kade (box two) who tends to use a bit of the track.
ZIPPING Saxon was desperately unlucky when second to kennelmate Black Frenzy at Wentworth Park last Saturday night but is better suited on the roomier Maitland circuit.
“He is a heartbreak dog because he has so much talent but finds trouble,’’ trainer MACKAY said.
“But he has plenty in his favour at Maitland because he will relish being in an early race and box one is perfect.’’
Black Frenzy, who led throughout and held off ZIPPING Saxon’s late challenge last Saturday at Wentworth Park, is striving to maintain his unbeaten record in heat seven of the Cup.
The dog had won four from four at Richmond and Maitland before his all-the-way Wentworth Park 520m win but MACKAY is pleased the is back over 450m for the Cup.
“Black Frenzy was a bit flat on Sunday morning after being in the kennels at Wenty for four hours and then tackling 520m for the first time,’’ MACKAY said. “But by Sunday afternoon he was fine again.
"There does not seem to be a lot of early pace among the dogs drawn around him in the Cup heat box six should not be a problem.’’
Winsome Jacko’s kennelmate Winsome Prince (pictured), who holds the Maitland 450m record, failed to beat one home at the track last week but trainer Melinda Finn has advised punters to “forget the run.’’
“He jumped well but got smashed straight away," Finn said.
“He was sandwiched between two other dogs then wanted to duck off so he found all sorts of trouble.’’
Winsome Prince had won each of his three previous Maitland 450m outings and looks to have drawn one of the weakest heats on Friday.
His kennelmate Winsome Mission, a litter brother to Winsome Jacko, has box four in heat two.
Although he has not raced over the Maitland 450m trip, Winsome Mission will be well suited by the track.
“He has trialled there and can go close to breaking the 25 seconds mark,’’ Finn said.
Spacecraft ran the race of his life to chase home Victoria’s Lamia Bale in The Ambrosoli last week and should only need even luck to take his Maitland 450m tally to six wins from nine starts in heat six.
Meanwhile, Maitland newcomer Tullabung Honey looks great value from her ideal box eight draw in heat four.
She was unbeaten in three starts at Bulli and Nowra before missing the jump and wanting to veer wide at the first turn when last, from box one, at her Wentworth Park debut on April 2.
Tullabung Honey has not worn the pink rug but made full use of box seven to win in smart time over 400m at Bulli in February.
The final of the $40,000-to-the-winner series takes place next Friday.
For Maitland Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Maitland Friday picks:
Best Bet: Spacecraft (Race 6)
Best Value: Tullabung Honey (Race 4)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 4, 7, 5
Race 6 – 3, 8, 1
Race 7 – 6, 8
Race 8 – 3, 1, 4
$20 for 37.03%
