QUALITY heats of both the Bogie Leigh Futurity and the Group 2 Queensland Derby over 520 metres have lit up Q2 Parklands in the chase for a lucrative $112,500 prize.
Three high-quality heats of the Bogie Leigh Futurity for the girls were contested, setting the stage for a fiercely contested decider.
The opening heat featured the Tom Tzouvelis-trained Zipping Lee, who went to the boxes as the $2.50 favourite following an early-December victory over the track and trip.
Showing her customary early speed, Zipping Lee settled into second before swinging into the straight, where she was checked at a crucial stage. Memory of Mum took control turning for home, but it was Tzouvelis kennelmate Tempting Dash who stormed home late to score in the shadows of the post.
Despite being known for mixed box manners and having not tasted victory since May last year, the Hooked On Scotch x Super Tora bitch found her best form when it mattered most, notching her third career win from just eight starts. Notably, Tempting Dash has raced exclusively at the 520-metre journey.
Heat two belonged to Zipping Ariel, trained by Michelle Sultana, who started a $2.40 favourite on her debut at the Purga circuit following consecutive victories at Wentworth Park.
Missing the jump, Zipping Ariel was shuffled to the rear early but showed impressive recovery to be third at the turn. Once balanced into the straight, she surged to the lead and kicked clear for a convincing win.
The final heat saw Mckeon installed as the $3.20 favourite after strong form over the distance, having recorded one win and four placings from seven starts at the trip.
The Bernardo x Fire On Ice chaser rewarded supporters, justifying a firm move in betting from $7.50 into favouritism by box rise to claim the heat victory.
The Tzouvelis kennel will head into the feature for the girls with four strong chances in Zipping Lipa (1), Zipping Saigo (2), She’s Peakin (7) and Tempting Dash (8).
They will be joined by Moet Magic (3), Mckeon (5) and Zipping Ariel (6), with Wildash Jane and Cumbria Chrissy named as reserves.
Meanwhile, the boys stepped out in four heats of the Group 2 Queensland Derby over 520 metres, producing some blistering performances from the state’s emerging stars.
In the opening heat, King Of The Gods ($3.10) backed up his strong debut win at the trip last week scoring again.
The Tony Brett stable then unleashed Dashing Jordy, a campaigner newly arrived in Queensland, whose explosive early speed proved decisive in claiming the second heat.
Michelle Sultana added another heat success to her tally when Winsome Jet ($4.20) upset the $1.65 favourite to take out the third heat.
The final heat belonged to Zipping Kravitz, who showed his class to win as the $2.15 favourite for Tom Tzouvelis.
The talented chaser has now won nine of his 11 career starts and boasts an impressive record at the distance of three starts for two wins and a placing.
