Gatlin Spins Some Magic In Vic Peters Classic

WOODSTOCK trainer Darren Wort always told owner Darrin Ferguson that Gatlin was too good for racing around the Bathurst/Cowra region and he was proven spot on when the youngster landed the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic (520m) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

Unfortunately for Wort, Gatlin (Dyna Double One-Von Magic) was racing for Minnie Finn when he won the Vic Peters.

He scored by three-quarters of a length over Canya Wilder with another three-quarters to Victorian Red Reactor in third.

It took his career to 19 starts for seven wins and eight placings and $91,000.

Minnie Finn did tell us earlier on that if Gatlin led, he'd be very hard to beat… and he's done just that – leading from start to finish in the G1 @ladbrokescomau Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park tonight!

Full Results: https://t.co/4oo8nmHIAy#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/b0rCI6p79g

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) July 9, 2022

“Darrin is my brother-in-law,” said Minnie.

“He and some mates bought Gatlin and a litter sister, Rare Talent, at three months and John Martin gave them a huge wrap at education.

“They went into work with Darren Wort and he always said the dog was too good for the country. But Darren was not that keen on bringing him to town.

“He had an indiscretion at Bathurst in April and that's when they asked me to take him on.”

Minnie was supremely confident the dog would win the Vic Peters.

“He trialled fantastic in the lead-up to the race and I was really confident he would go close,” she said.

Gatlin will now look to the newest GRNSW innovation, the $50,000 to the winner Southern Stars.

Heats for the series will be run at three southern NSW tracks.

Temora will run three qualifiers over 457m on July 17 with Wagga conducting two heats over 400m on July 22, the same day Goulburn holds three heats over 440m.

His namesake is in the #Wimbledon final today, and next week, Zipping Kyrgios will fly the flag for NSW in the Greyhound State of Origin match race.

We got an update from trainer Minnie Finn to see how the king is going…#thedogs #KingKyrgios @RaceQLD @BrisGreys @NickKyrgios pic.twitter.com/uBURXu9AvD

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) July 10, 2022

The final to be held at Goulburn on July 29.

“We will probably head to Goulburn with him because apparently he flies there,” said Minnie of Gatlin.

Kennel star Zipping Kyrgios will be a special “tip” for Thursday night's State of Origin Match Race at Albion Park when he lines up against local hope Shipwreck.

The son of Aussie Infrared-Zipping Lilly, winner of 29 races and $419,000, was only seventh to Impact in a heat of the Group 1 Brisbane Cup at Albion Park on June 30.

“He was so unlucky in that race,” said Minnie. “He pulled up fine and will have a hit out at Richmond today to prep him for the Match Race.”

Minnie reports Zipping Kyrgios has been injury free for his past four starts a welcome change for the classy galloper.

“We will just keep him going week to week with the Nationals and eventually the Million Dollar Chase and that might see him out,” she said

“Cameron (Hallinan) tells us he is getting lots of inquiries for him at stud.”

His namesake fronts up in tennis' Wimbledon men's final tonight. The winner will earn $A3.5 million and runner-up $A1.8 million.

The 520m Match Race at Albion Park is worth $45,000.