Mackay Hoping History Can Repeat In Egg Decider

WHILE there will be only one Zipping Bailey in trainer Jason Mackay's eyes, he will head to Wentworth Park on Saturday night with what he says is another chance at Easter Egg glory.

Zipping Bailey won the Easter Egg in 2019, coming from a clear last at the first turn in one of the greatest group 1 winning performances.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY

Mackay puts his 2022 Egg faith in the vastly improved Fantastic Raven (Fernando Bale-Fantastic Dotty) and he and owner David Jolley are riding the thrill of being in such a prestigious final.

“I'm just happy for David,” said Jason. “He's such a good bloke and this bitch has done us proud.

What a strong win from Fantastic Raven in Ladbrokes #GoldenEasterEgg Semi Final 3, running down Mitchell Street in 29.91!

Results: https://t.co/pQ0sxXUvJn#thedogs #WentworthPark #GreyhoundRacing #LGEE #GEE pic.twitter.com/AiwI1saS7k

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) April 2, 2022

“I hope he enjoys the night. It is a race everyone wants to get into.”

Mackay says Fantastic Raven is not without an upset chance in the final.

“I wanted her to draw three, four or five,” he said. “And she came up with one of them (three).”

He knows only too well those drawn outside her.

“The four (Idolize), five (She's A Pearl) and six (Mitchell Street) have rocket speed,” said Mackay. “But what can often happen when speedsters like that are drawn together, all sorts of trouble can result.

“I'm hoping our bitch can get on the fence without any trouble. That's her hope.”

He was particularly impressed with the fact she wore down early leader Mitchell Street to win her semi-final last week.

“When she was younger she couldn't have run anything down,” he said of the bitch he has had only since the start of the year.

“She always had to be in front, but last week she showed a bit of ticker. It was good to see.”

Mackay reasoned the one box is not always a perfect draw for fast beginners at Wentworth Park, the draw Fantastic Raven had in last week's semi win.

“Quite often lid pingers will miss it from the one at Wenty,” he said. “I don't know why, but they do.”

Mackay said he would make no plans for Fantastic Raven until after her Egg performance.

“The Million Dollar Chase qualifiers have started and that's an option, but let's see how she goes on Saturday night first.”

The box draw for the 2022 @ladbrokescomau #GoldenEasterEgg is here!

Who takes out the $250,000 Final next week at #WentworthPark?#thedogs #GreyhoundRacing #LGEE #GEE @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/sLPcP1RfLK

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) April 2, 2022

Mackay has Opal Model and Zipping Lopez in the Ultra Sense final and believes both have strong claims.

“I'm happy with all of them going into Saturday night,” he said.

He also reports his Egg winner Zipping Bailey has her first litter, by Zipping Garth, about to enter the kennels for education at the Hallinan property at Clergate.

“And she's had 10 pups by Superior Panama,” he said.

“Yep, looking forward to getting some of those pups into the kennels here.”

Golden Easter Egg: 1 Louis Rumble, 2 Tachycardic, 3 Fantastic Raven, 4 Idolize, 5 She's A Pearl, 6 Mitchell Street, 7 Good Odds Cash, 8 Zara's Ivan. Res: 9 Lala Kiwi, 10 Ties That Bind.