'Unbelievable night' as Aloisi pulls off National double
TRAINER Tim Aloisi pulled off a rare double claiming both the SA finals of the National Sprint and Distance Championship on a fantastic night of racing at Angle Park on Thursday.
While Zipping Neutron entered the Distance final as a red-hot favourite on the back of ten straight victories, it was Ravers Army who pulled a surprise in the Sprint final overcoming an awkward box four draw to win a very even race.
Speaking after the race last night, Aloisi said it was a special evening to pull off the double across the two feature events.
“It is an unreal feeling,” Aloisi said following the Sprint final.
“We came hoping to win just one race and If not place and to go home with two wins its unreal.”
After scraping through to the Sprint final after a fourth-place finish in its heat last week, Ravers Army was one of several winning hopes last night but was drawn awkwardly in box four.
After avoiding trouble on the first turn, it was positioned nicely heading around the back behind the leader Coorong Cam taking the lead on the final term before kicking away to win in 30.59 by one and a half lengths.
Reality Infrared for Kiah Hurley finished in second place while Dash Of Blue for Richard Pearce ran on to finish in third place.
“The dog (Ravers Army) relies on a bit of luck,” Aloisi said.
“This week, we were fortunate to get a bit of luck early whereas last week, we didn’t get that luck but he is very honest and I am so pleased.”
While Ravers Army’s victory came as a surprise, Zipping Neutron’s success in the Distance Championship came as less of a shock with the stayer making it ten straight victories in South Australia.
Zipping Neutron jumped to an early lead from its box two draw and while it was never headed throughout the 730m journey, it did face some mid-race pressure from the ever-reliable Springvale Rex.
Despite this, Zipping Neutron was able to pull away late and win by four lengths in 43.22 ahead of Springvale Rex and Dashing Deb who are both trained by Gavin Harris.
“I was very pleased with the win. I thought he might lead he has been jumping well lately,” Aloisi said.
“I am not going to lie I was a bit worried when Gavin’s dog (Springvale Rex) was making a bit of ground and then on the home straight he just kicked away again. It was a good win.”
The win in the Distance final continued an excellent run of form for Zipping Neutron with ten straight wins including the Bayroad Queen final and breaking the 732m track record at Mount Gambier.
Now with a National Distance final spot booked, Aloisi said it was a testament to how consistent that the chaser had been since arriving in South Australia
“I think we have probably had faster dogs but he is just a very consistent greyhound. He kind of races the same each week but in saying that none of those other dogs won 10 in a row,” Aloisi said about Zipping Neutron.
“Going to Mount Gambier was a plan. I didn’t want him to go stagnant at Angle Park being our premier track and sometimes they can just get used to the track.
“I wanted to give him a few runs on the follow-on lire and obviously he broke the track record and I think it has set him up for this campaign at the Nationals.”
The double success was a thrill not only for Aloisi but also for his young family who were on course last night and were seen proudly posing on the dais post-race.
“Greyhound racing is a family sport, and the girls are only young and don’t come every week. I work full time and run a business. I rely on family and friends and a lot of support,” Aloisi said.
“It’s not just me. I’m kind of a face to it and I’ve got a lot of friends and family that do a lot for us as well. We will all be happy and celebrate as one big team. “
Aloisi’s attention will now turn to planning for the National finals at The Meadows on Saturday August 26th and the trainer said he was looking forward to representing South Australia.
“I haven’t planned out anything I really look one week at a time a few people asked what I was doing I said we have to win it first. So ill sit down and plan it out,” Aloisi said.
“We have always been out there and said we are strong South Australian supporters and we have always supported the sport and we always will.
“To win the Nationals as a trainer for the first time, it’s an unbelievable feeling and I’m proud. I am proud of South Australia, I am proud of our racing and I still believe our top liners can compete against the other state.
“My boys will go over there. I know my dogs might not be the best but I know they’ll give their best for South Australia and that’s all we can ask.”
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