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Zipping Bailey drawn to perfection in Cup Final

3 July 2019

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By Isaac Murphy

Zipping Bailey announced herself to the greyhound world when she rounded up her rivals to win the 2019 Golden Easter Egg in dramatic fashion.

Now, trainer Jason Mackay believes she’s in even better shape to add another Group One in Thursday night’s $375,000 Brisbane Cup.

The bitch has made a name for herself as a get back run on greyhound and after coming over the top of dual Group One winner Barooga Brett in her heat Mackay said she was drawn ideally to do it again.

“There are probably six dogs in the race with genuine early speed and we’re not one of them which may play into our hands,” Mackay said.

“I think Barooga Brett is the key to her race, if he can lead from the inside and get a few of them off the track and we slot in behind she has the ability to make up lengths in her run home.”

Zipping Bailey first look at Albion Park was almost a month ago in the TAB Origin Sprint final where she could only manage fifth, but Mackay said he’d put a line through the run and had her peaking at the right time.

“She trialled well over the shorter distance before the Origin Sprint and drew well but the 395 metre boxes are very different to the 520 boxes, she blew the start and that was all she wrote,” he said.

“We took her back to Wenny (Wentworth Park) and she stormed home to win, which got her the confidence to come back to Brisbane and win last week.”

“Third up over the 520 metre start with a good draw coming off a big win last week I couldn’t be happier where she’s at.”

When you see the term sprinter in greyhound racing you think about pinging the lids, but Zipping Bailey has bucked the trend often getting back and running on and she’s proven she can do it on the biggest occasions.

“Most times if you look at any greyhound race you want to be straight to the front if not box seating and make your own luck, she does a lot wrong but that’s what makes her so special she’s developed this pattern and can execute at the highest level,” Mackay said.

 “She’s the only dog in thirty years to come from last to win an Easter Egg, that’s how good she was, and she’s proved it’s no fluke coming out and doing the same thing the next week.

“She’s an out an out top grader now and if she draws one to four in any Group Final she’s a chance.”

Mackay has accomplished a lot in his training career but said to add a Brisbane Cup to his mantle would be every bit as special as his other triumphs.

“I’ve had a bit of luck over the years winning The Melbourne Cup and few years ago and coming back home and winning a Golden Easter Egg, they’ve both been pretty surreal, to add a Brisbane Cup to that would be a dream,” he said.

“The prizemoney on offer is outstanding and that’s brought together as tough a Group One field you’ll find anywhere in Australia and to be the best you’ve got to beat the best and I can’t wait for that challenge.”

Zipping Bailey has already produced a remarkable year.

She has saluted on 15 occasions from 23 starts and banked over $400,000.

In addition, she's developed a growing fan base due to her back-marker style.

“I think she knows she’s pretty good, she’s had a lot of attention since her Easter Egg win and she’s got a fair bit of swagger about her, she likes to give the camera a grin,” Mackay said.

“She’s received a fair deal of adulation from the public, because they know if she gets a sniff even she’s a chance, it's amazing to see people supporting your dog, she’s something special.

“Win, lose or draw this week we’ll take her home and set her for the Nationals in four week’s time at her favourite track Wenty (Wentworth Park)."