Super Inaugural Country Challenge Final

By Jeff Collerson
There are four brilliant front-runners - Zulu Warlord, Bones McCoy, On The Rocks and Casual Glance - in Saturday night's GRNSW Country Challenge final which is why Zipping Kyrgios can come from behind and win if he finds the rails at the first turn.

Minnie Finn, whose husband John trains Zipping Kyrgios, said: "There is a lot of speed in this race and there are sure to be a few in front of our dog in the early stages.

"We want Zipping Kyrgios to find the fence going into the first corner because he is so strong at the finish.

"He pulled up well after his fast finishing second behind Orchestrate in the Origin Challenge at Albion Park on June 17 so is ready to go.''


Michael Hardman, whose dog Zulu Warlord has box one in the Challenge, said: "Anyone who makes a bad move early is going to be in trouble.

"Because he is a wide runner, my greyhound is going to have to come out under the lids.

"There are several chances but the dog I'm most frightened of is Bones McCoy, who has box two.

"He keeps running fast times without looking as if he is doing so, he just seems to glide across the ground.''


Bones McCoy's trainer Chrystal Hensing said: "Early in his career Bones McCoy excelled from wide draws but recently he has been cutting to the rails.

"That's why I'm rapt in seeing him in box two, I wanted that draw or box three because at Wenty good beginners sometimes miss the kick slightly from box one.

"When he won his Challenge heat at LADBROKES GARDENS on June 11, Bones McCoy had box four and cut towards the rails, then he did the same thing in a subsequent trial at Maitland.''


Hensing is also delighted with getting box two with Bones McCoy's kennelmate Bruce Mick Glenn in Saturday's opening event, the GBOTA Welcome Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.

"Bruce Mick Glenn is flying, he has actually been trialling faster than Bones McCoy,'' Hensing said.

"Although he has been unplaced in each of two Wentworth Park starts, Bruce Mick Glenn has had no luck from boxes seven and five and hopefully from his good draw on Saturday it will be a case of third time lucky.''

Bruce Mick Glenn's toughest rival could be WA youngster Rippin' Purton, who has had 30 starts for five wins and 17 placings.

Rippin' Purton's trainer Shayne Williams said: "If he goes well I will be starting him in the heats of the group 1 Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park on July 3.

"Rippin' Purton is suited by box seven on Saturday night and if he gets his own way he can run, as evidenced by his third placing, a length from the winner Tiggerlong Tonk, in the group 1 Perth Cup at Cannington on April 17.''

Ultimate Coat had to be scratched from a Wentworth Park engagement following his unlucky second at headquarters on June 12 but is on song for Saturday night's Vinny Rogan From Dublin Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.

"Ultimate Coat was a bit the worse for wear after his second placing a couple of weeks back but is fine now and trialled really well at Goulburn on Sunday,'' trainer Michael Hardman said.

"I trialled him with my good bitch Springview Magic, who won in 29.65 at Wentworth Park two months ago, and Ultimate Coat went better.''

Best Bet Bruce Mick Glenn (race 1)

Best Value Ultimate Coat (race 3)

Quaddie race 5 - 1, 6, 4

Race 6 - 6, 7, 4

Race 7 - 3, 6

Race 8 - 5, 2, 1

$20 for 37.03%