Ladbrokes National Derby (G1)

Huge Night Of Derby & Futurity Heats Tonight

By Jeff Collerson
Zipping Moose has not broken the 30sec barrier at Wentworth Park but trainer Luke Adams is confident the greyhound is capable of clocking 29.80 in the Ladbrokes National Derby series beginning on Friday night.

Zipping Moose has box one in heat six of the group 1 age classic and Adams said: "He has had three wins and a second from four starts at Wenty but while his best time has been 30.13, I'm certain he is a 29.80 dog.

"He just has not put it all together so far but he gets his chance this week because he has a great draw.

"Romantic Storm, who is a strong finisher, looks the one to beat.''

Romantic Storm's trainer George Borg wanted his dog drawn near the rails and is happy with box three.

"My dog was desperately unlucky when fourth, from box eight, at Wentworth Park on January 6 and he trialled well up the straight on Saturday.''

Borg's greyhound has recorded 29.87 at Wentworth Park, producing those figures from box three on December 30.


Victorian-trained greyhounds have won three of the six Derby finals since the series returned to Wentworth Park from The Gardens in 2015, with Fernando Bale scoring in that year followed by Out Of Range in 2018 and Axel Footluce 12 months later.

Eagles Nest Egg (box one, heat one), Music Event (box seven, heat three), Hadouken (box six, heat five) and Weblec Jet (box three, heat seven) look Victoria's best prospects on Friday night.

Eagles Nest Egg, with seven wins, four seconds and a third from 17 starts, is trained by Brendan Pursell, who said: "My dog is drawn pretty well and is a consistently smart beginner.

"A couple of times he has flown out of the boxes so I expect him to run a big race, although he has not previously trialled or raced at Wentworth Park.''

Michael Carter, trainer of Music Event, winner of 12 from 23 races, said: "My bloke has a good record from all boxes so the wide draw isn't worrying me.

"If Music Event jumps cleanly it won't matter what box he's got because he will run straight and I think he only he has to step away to win''

Hadouken had no luck when last in a Free-For-All at his only Wentworth Park appearance on December 12 and Jason Sharp, whose wife Jessica trains the dog, said: "He had won only five races when he was put into top grade at Wenty but that was good experience for him.

"On Boxing Day Hadouken clocked 29.76 over 525m at The Meadows when he was run down by Equalizer and having a vacant box on his left in his Derby heat will help him a lot.''

The Jeff Britton-trained Weblec Jet was impressive in a solo trial at Wentworth Park last week, scampering over the 520m in 29.96, and running home in a powerful 11.75 after posting moderate sectional figures.

Leading NSW contenders for the Derby loom as Zipping Kyrgios (box three, heat two) and in heat four Casual Glance (box four), Road Spike (five), SERIOUS Object (six) and Blue Moss (seven).

Casual Glance made the pace when third to Wow and Incapacitated in the Woy Woy Poultry Gold Cup at Gosford on January 3 and trialled brilliantly at Wentworth Park last Saturday night.

Casual Glance carved out dazzling splits of 5.42 and 13.79 before stopping the clock at 29.83 at the end of 520m.

SERIOUS Object missed the start and was well back throughout at his only Wentworth Park outing but has won six from seven provincial starts and finished third to Flying Ricciardo in a heat of the group 1 Dapto Megastar on December 3.

"He has clocked a fast 24.06 in a post-to-post hand-slip at Wentworth Park but has been lightly raced due to being injury prone,'' trainer Jodie Lord said.


Victoria's Jeff Britton, who won the 2019 National Futurity with Circle Of Dreams, is tipped to win heat one of that classic on Friday with Weblec Pearl.

Her caretaker Sydney trainer Alan Proctor said: "When she got caught in the last stride by Ice Cream Story at her first Wentworth Park start last week Weblec Pearl clocked splits of 5.46 and 13.77.

"She is renowned for her early zip and that run will improve her.''

Zipping Moose's trainer Luke Adams is tipped to win heat two with Zipping Sapporo (box three) while the third heat of the Futurity is by far the toughest, with Me Me Mia (box one), Sarita (two) and early final favourite On The Rocks in three.

"Sarita has not raced since winning at Wentworth Park on December 16 but is flying, she has actually improved over the past month,'' trainer Jodie Lord said.

On The Rocks is unbeaten in two Wentworth Park races and her best time of 29.75 is superior to that of her two rivals, but she will need to begin brilliantly to get ahead of her opponents at the crucial first turn.

Best Bet Zipping Moose (race 9)

Best Value Weblec Jet (race 10)

Quaddie race 5 - 3, 6, 1

Race 6 - 7, 5, 8

Race 7 - 4, 3, 6

Race 8 - 1, 6

$20 for 37.03%