Jeff Geall will need some of his high-flying brother David’s magic to rub off on Zipping Clifford if the 70-start roughie is to cause a surprise in Saturday night’s 600m FFA at The Meadows (race 6 at 8.07pm).
Jeff is a relative newcomer to the training ranks and didn’t have to look far for an ideal mentor.
He works in partnership with Lara-based David, who’s enjoying a fantastic run in 2021 with two-time country cups winner Ferdinand Boy and boom prospect Koblenz, winner of his past nine.
But Jeff concedes even David’s ‘Midas Touch’ won’t be enough to propel $41 outsider Zipping Clifford to what would be a monumental upset against powerhouse $1.60 favourite Christo Bale, winner of six of his last seven starts.
“We didn’t nominate for this race but we understand they needed to make up a field so we’ll cop it on the chin,” said Geall.
“Christo Bale beat him by six lengths over 525m a couple of weeks ago and he’ll probably beat him by more over a longer distance.
“It’s an impossible task but we’re doing the right thing.”
In Zipping Clifford’s favour, he does have strong form over The Meadows’ middle distance trip, winning three from eight and only missing a place once, but he’s unlikely to return to his best due to an injury sustained when campaigning in South Australia late in 2020.
“He made the (G1) Sandown Cup Final last year and he’s been very consistent – as well as his 14 wins he’s run 17 seconds,” Geall said.
“We sent him over to Adelaide to Lauren Harris to race against Sir Truculent last year but unfortunately he broke his metatarsal bone.
“We brought him back and he’s won over the sprint at The Meadows but he’s probably about four lengths off where he needs to be to be competitive in Grade 4 races, let alone FFA.”
