Ladbrokes Bathurst Gold Cup

Winlock Looks The Top Pick At Bathurst

By Jeff Collerson
Zulu Warlord's trainer Michael Hardman admits he is pleased his dog Zulu Warlord has drawn inside Mark Moroney's heat winners Fire On Ice and Fire Legend but doubts he can beat Winlock On Top in Friday night's Bathurst Cup final.

In Monday's heats Fire On Ice led throughout in 29.61 while his Mark Moroney-trained kennelmate and litter brother Fire Legend led quickly to score in 29.71.

Zulu Warlord, who has always been renowned for his early dash, led all the way in 29.71.


"My dog recorded the quickest time from the boxes to the winning post but Fire On Ice went a bit quicker to the back straight,'' Hardman said.

"When the box draw was being conducted I was desperate to see my dog drawn inside Mark Moroney's pair even though Zulu Warlord goes particularly well from a wide draw.

"I thought he would be hard pressed to run around Mark's pair and when my bloke drew box three with Fire On Ice and Fire Legend in four and five I was pleased.

"Winlock On Top though has come up with box one and I reckon he has a perfect draw, and if I didn't have a finalist I reckon he would be a good thing.

"Winlock On Top had box four when he came from a distant third on the back straight to finish second, beaten four lengths, by Zulu Warlord in his heat.

"From box one though Winlock On Top is likely to be a lot closer in the early stages.''

Winlock On Top's trainer Jodie Lord has also qualified Spritley Ebony (box two) and Jax Kade (box six) for Friday's $25,000 to the winner final. 


"Spritley Ebony has good early speed but I don't think he will crowd Winlock On Top in the run to the first turn,'' Lord said.

"Spritley Ebony usually runs in a straight line from the boxes so Winlock On Top should be able to push up underneath his kennelmate.

"I was rapt in Winlock On Top's heat run because while he had been around Bathurst in 307m races he had never trialled or raced from the 520m boxes.

"That's why I reckon he could be capable of improvement on Friday.''

Winlock On Top can show early speed and when he led throughout from box five to defeat Wow's litter brother Ad Astra over 520m at Wentworth Park on January 9, he recorded a first split of a smart 5.44 before covering the trip in a sizzling 29.68.

Winlock On Top has not been out of a place from box one, having had eight starts wearing the red rug for three wins and five placings.

Trainer Mark Moroney leans to Fire On Ice ahead of Fire Legend as his better chance.

"Both my dogs have to negotiate Zulu Warlord who has so much early pace but Fire On Ice is flying at present.

"There is nothing between my pair in ability but Fire On Ice has the advantage of being drawn inside Fire Legend and her early splits and overall time in the heats were slightly quicker.

"My finalists had not seen the Bathurst track before the heats and after they won Good Odds Harada's trainer Frank Hurst told me he was amazed they went so quick without having previously had a run on the course.

"Frank said 'they will find some' with the benefit of the Bathurst experience so I hope he's right.''