Dapto’s rich Middle Distance Championship heats highlight a 12-race card at the famous Showgrounds track on Thursday night.
Given GRNSW’s added prizemoney, high quality 600m contests have been the norm at Dapto for more than 12 months and, with $25,000 on offer in the November 18 decider, the two heats promise intense competition.
Trainer Jason Magri has elected to bypass a potential start in the Group 1 Bold Trease at Sandown on November 19 with his Topgun Stayers’ runner-up Zipping Niseko.
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Unbeaten in three Dapto outings at 600m, Zipping Niseko only needs to finish in the first four in her 600m heat to secure a grid position in the December 19 final – the day prior to the Bold Trease heats.
In all, Zipping Niseko is unbeaten in six Dapto outings with three wins coming over 600m. The trip is ideal for the reliable beginner and she’s the one to beat in the opening heat.
Her task, however, is far from straightforward or cut-and-dried.
Ice Cream Story (Box 2) has a near-record 34.21 win to her credit at the track and is suitably drawn.
An inside alley is preferred for Wicked Flash yet fresh he’s first up after a 6-week break and can show early zip.
The widely traveled I’m Explosive (Box 7), being new to the track, might be flying under the radar but is up to the task and then there is the enigmatic Ritza Tommy.
Ability-wise, Ritza Tommy falls into the elite category. He was unbeaten in six outings in September including sizzling wins over 400m and 472m at Bulli but has lost his way in recent weeks, finishing last in four successive outings.
The fawn dog has posted 17 wins from just 37 starts but has also failed to beat a rival home 11 times!
In Heat Two (Race 7), Zipping Niseko’s kennelmate Where’s Rocky steps up to 600m for the first time.
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He overcame his usual moderate start to score at Wentworth Park on November 6 in 29.94 and his racing pattern appears suited to the step-up in trip.
