Cup Up In The Air For Kyrgios After Topgun

STAR sprinter Zipping Kyrgios' performance in Saturday night's Group 1 Topgun (525m) at The Meadows will determine his immediate future.

The son of Aussie Infrared and Zipping Lilly has drawn box three for the invitation race on Saturday night for owners the Hallinan family and trainers John and Minnie Finn.

The Hallinans have also drawn box three in the Group 1 Topgun Stayers (725m) with their star staying bitch, the Jason Magri-trained Zipping Niseko.

“We will see how he goes on Saturday night before making any plans,” said Minnie Finn.

“At this stage we are not certain about going into the Melbourne Cup or trying to get a spot in The Phoenix with him.”

Safe to say Zipping Kyrgios handled the track beautifully! pic.twitter.com/8mPwWiKrZX

— Melbourne Greyhounds – The Meadows (@MelbourneGreys) October 23, 2021

The Group 1 Melbourne Cup (515m) at Sandown will be run on November 19 and 26 with the winner to take home $500,000.

The Phoenix (525m), worth $750,000-to-the-winner, is a one-off race to be run at The Meadows on December 18.

Zipping Kyrgios trialled 29.86 at his first look at The Meadows and Minnie said she and John were “very happy” with that trial.

She will drive to Melbourne on Friday in preparation for the $150,000-to-the-winner showpiece.

“It is a tough race and the three will suit him,” said Minnie.

“But there is a bit of pace in the race especially from Mr. Fix It in the four. He shows lots of pace especially when he races at The Meadows.

“Zipping Kyrgios pulled up great after the trial. Everything about the Melbourne Cup or The Phoenix depends on how he races in the Topgun.”

Zipping Kyrgios, winner at 21 of his 40 starts for $186,000 in stakes, won the Group 2 Black Top at The Gardens two runs back and followed that with a 29.42 win at Wentworth Park on October 16.

FIELDS AND FORM THE MEADOWS SATURDAY NIGHT

It clinched his spot in the Topgun had he not already.

Zipping Niseko also went to The Meadows for a 600 metre trial and went 34.40 in preparation for the Topgun Stayers.

“It was a nice trial and she came back home without ever showing she had even been away,” said trainer Jason Magri.

“The 34.40 was a good effort considering Stanley Road went 34.23 in his trial there.”

Jason said he expected to leave early Saturday morning and was planning on driving straight to The Meadows with Zipping Niseko.

Magri says the Topgun Stayers is a very tough assignment for his bitch.

“There is lots of early pace and our bitch will need a bit of luck to clear them early and set up her best chance,” he said.

“Miss Ezmae in the rails is quick early, and Super Estrella will be wanting to cross over quickly from her wide draw.

“It's a tough race.”

Magri said he would see how the Group winning bitch handled the race on Saturday night before committing to a bid for the Group 1 Bold Trease over the Melbourne Cup carnival on November 19 and 26.

Zipping Niseko has won 15 of her 33 starts and $132,000 in stakes and two runs back chased home Miss Ezmae in the Group 2 Sydney Cup final.