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  • Wednesday, 23 May, 2018,
  • by Molly Haines

From the grassroots of coursing to the world’s richest staying race

To say Ian Garland has taken a fresh approach to his preparation for the 2018 Sandown Cup series with his young stayer Zipping Nitro would be a lie; rather, he went back to basics by Coursing.

“I wanted to both mentally and physically strengthen Zipping Nitro for the Sandown Cup and Coursing enabled me to do both,” trainer Ian Garland said.

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Coursing is held during the winter months on straight tracks around Victoria including; Benalla, Longwood and Lang Lang. Greyhounds race one on one in a knock out competition style and can course up three times throughout the day.

“I really wanted to break his routine because he is a greyhound who predominantly races on the circle tracks. I think it’s healthy to change a greyhound’s routine up, which is why I try and incorporate Coursing into my training.”

Garland Coursed Zipping Nitro at Benalla on 29 April, where he won all three of his events defeating Crackerjack Mick, picking up the $825 first prize.

“I don’t like to categorise greyhounds who Course because it is a great training tool – I have been utilising Coursing for 20 years.” Garland said.

Zipping Nitro is a winner of six races from his 23-start career which has only seen him run outside the money on one occasion, and now after finishing second to WA star Quick Jagger, Zipping Nitro finds himself in the richest staying race for greyhounds – the RSN Sandown Cup.

close finish in heat one of the Sandown CupPICTURED: Sandown Cup heat one, from left; Hot Tip (box eight), Quick Jagger (box one), Zipping Nitro (box two) and Rockstar Patriot (box seven)

WATCH: Zipping Nitro (box two) finish second behind Quick Jagger (box one) in last week’s heat of the Group One RSN Sandown Cup.

“He needs to find a bit more in the final to place, he is a 41.90sec dog, but being such a young dog, you don’t know if he can pull out a better run,” Garland told Simone Fisher.

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The son of My Bro Fabio and Scarlett Girl, who is bred and owed by the Hallinan Hallinan Syndicate, has drawn box two in his first Group One feature – the same box he started from in his heat.

“I am happy with the draw because I didn’t think he would have had much chance if he was drawn on the outside. Drawing down near the fence it gives him a rough chance,” Garland said.

The Robert Britton trained Tornado Tears is the TAB’s short priced favourite, with litter brother Rippin’ Sam the second elect.

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Molly HainesMolly Haines

Molly Haines

Communication Assistant at Greyhound Racing Victoria with 16 years of experience working with greyhounds in all capacities.

2018 RSN Sandown Cup Preview 2018 RSN Sandown Cup Preview
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