Magri Declares Split Inch Between Phil Davis Duo

TRAINER Jason Magri has declared there's a split inch between his exciting duo Zipping Smudge and Blue Falcon ahead of Friday night's star-studded Phil Davis Memorial Final (520m) at Richmond.

Zipping Smudge, winner at five of his six starts, roared into the finale with a smart 29.83 heat win, while Blue Falcon extended his record to six wins from seven appearances with a best of night 29.67 romp.

But while Blue Falcon goes into the $10,000-to-the-winner decider as the fastest qualifier, Magri is slightly leaning toward Zipping Smudge as the pick of his pair, after drawing ideally in two.

FIELDS AND FORM RICHMOND FRIDAY NIGHT

"Zipping Smudge has had box eight his last three starts and hasn't jumped as well as he can so I'm hoping the fence on Friday brings him out," Magri offered.

"But the other dog (Blue Falcon) has been beginning well and just does everything right so it wouldn't surprise me to see him get the job done either.

Tonight at Richmond we saw 4 heats of the Mario & Colleen Abela Phil Davis Memorial – and here they are back-to-back!@Richmond_Greys Results: https://t.co/JDcQSb3qHc#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/squ19fi8Jk

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) August 25, 2023

"They're both fit and well and very good young dogs, I couldn't be happier with them."

While more than happy with his gifted pairing, it's the looming presence of Zipping Strop in box one that has the Kemps Creek conditioner most concerned.

"If he gets a run through and a crack at them it's hard to see anything holding him out," he added. "We'll all be looking over our shoulder at the first turn to see where he is in the run. He's got a big motor."

A son of Flying Ricciardo, Zipping Strop, prepared by John and Minnie Finn, made it win four from start six in last week's heats when scoring in 29.91 but has recorded a breathtaking near record 29.34 previously.

A staple of the Richmond feature race calendar, the Phil Davis Memorial pays honour to the late veterinarian who served the Richmond Club with distinction for more than four decades.

And given the depth of quality in this year's finale, it's expected to produce no shortage of group race form in the coming months.

"You can see some of these dogs going on to much bigger things the way they're progressing," Magri added.

"But with the final on Friday being drawn near the fence is going to be a big advantage I'd say. On this new Richmond track it's not easy to get across from out wide.

"The inside is worth a good couple of lengths."

The Phil Davis Memorial is race 7 on the Richmond card, due to go at 8.53pm AESTD.