Delay no issue as Zipping Neutron targets Bayroad Queen
The 2023 Bayroad Stayers over 730m will be run this Thursday night at Angle Park, following the abandonment of the race last week due to the inclement weather.
Field and box draw remains unchanged, with eight high quality chasers aiming to take home the $10,000 first prize.
The quickest heat winner was Zipping Neutron, who has been in fabulous form since arriving from New South Wales into the care of Tim Aloisi.
It was a typically strong and grinding performance from the fawn dog, who overcame box eight in his heat to win in a fast 42.85 with the making it three in a row and pleasing trainer Tim Aloisi.
“It was a good run, the main thing is that the more dogs see Angle Park, the better they are going to get,” Aloisi said.
“For me, I was pretty happy because I thought the track was slow, so to go 42.85, it’s a PB, so I was happy with that.”
Zipping Neutron has impressed since coming from interstate winning three of his four starts and arrived in South Australia on the back of racing in quality fields interstate.
“He’s had four starts for three wins and been beaten by a head so he could have easily been four from four,” Aloisi said.
“The dog arrived in good condition and realistically coming from Sydney and heats of a Victorian Group race, it’s obviously a bit of a drop in class. He’s just doing what he probably should be doing, but he’s getting better each week so that’s the main thing for me.”
It was an unusual set of circumstances that led to the race being moved back to this Thursday night, with Aloisi using the time to ensure that Zipping Neutron is feeling extra fresh going into the race.
“It is what it is really, I am either very smart or very silly because I only gave him a ‘500’ on Sunday, my reasoning is that I would prefer to keep him fresher,” he said.
“I know the other trainers all gave their dogs ‘600’ or 700m trials. For me, I just opted to go with a more fresher approach, hoping to get him out a bit faster. I know he’s naturally strong, he ran home in 13.10 the week before, so it (the week off) doesn’t really bother me.”
Whilst box eight looks suitable for Zipping Neutron, it won't be easy for him to navigate a full field, which he will need to do given his normal get back and run on racing pattern. The draw is good for him according to Aloisi but concedes he will still need some luck.
“Naturally the dog does want to be out wide, so the box draw for me is good but, you do always rely on luck when you’re slow out and you’re out wide,” he said.
He still will need luck to get into the race as there is a bit of pace so he just needs to position up nicely and I am hoping he could lob up into fourth or fifth. He should be left alone out wide, it’s just all going to come down to that first bend and where he positions up I think.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the other features on the card Thursday night will be the grade 6 final over the 530m distance. Two heats were run last week, and the final appears quite open on paper.
The Kim Johnstone trained Perpetual had just her second career run over the 530m distance last week and ran a very gallant second, after showing early speed. The run was similar to the week prior, where she led early, before getting overtaken mid-race and fighting back late.
It was a good run last week and one that Johnstone was very pleased with.
“I threw her in hoping she would run ‘500’, not ever dreaming that she would get close to keeping up over the ‘500’, but I thought she did pretty good!” exclaimed Johnstone.
“She’s a funny little thing, she doesn't like dogs on her outside, at all! She will fall over to get to the outside of them.”
Perpetual has drawn box two for the final, with Johnstone hoping that she can use her early speed to find a clear lead.
“Hopefully she can lead clearly and not have a dog on her outside,” said Johnstone.
Racing will start at 6:37pm local time on Thursday.
Best Bet: Fantastic Dixie (Race 7, Number 4)
Value Bet: Fantastic Felix (Race 4, Number 7)