Now Or Never For Kansas Ahead Of Racing Return

TRAINER Jason Magri concedes it is now or never for his brilliant stayer Zipping Kansas which returns to racing in heats of the Group 1 Association Cup (720m) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

Winner at 20 of 41 starts, including two track record breaking romps, Zipping Kansas is considered one of the most naturally gifted greyhounds to grace a racetrack this generation.

But for all his talent the powerhouse son of Superior Panama has landed just the one group race victory – the 2021 G3 Christmas Gift – despite lining up in no less than eight group race deciders.

"He's probably got six months left to put a couple of big race wins on the board – the talent is there, it's just a matter of things falling into place for him," Magri said.

"I'd say he's a month away from being back at peak fitness but Saturday night is a great starting point for him. He hasn't raced since December or had a 700 since September so the run will do him the world of good."

? Will the real Zipping Kansas please stand up! ?

It was all over when they jumped, Zipping Kansas breathtaking in Sydney Cup heat 2 at Wentworth Park Greyhounds to win in 41.48 by 12 lengths from Gypsy Wyong and Ariarne Bale.#thedogs @NSWGBOTA pic.twitter.com/KNrxDC38UA

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) September 16, 2022

Zipping Kansas – a winner at Wentworth Park in a flying 41.44 – has been installed a $2.45 equal favourite with Bandit Jane for the opening heat of the Association Cup.

The clash looms as an absorbing battle with Bandit Jane, the Dapto 600 metre track record holder, making her long awaited 720m debut in the $75,000-to-the-winner series.

"I'd have rather draw outside Bandit Jane than inside her – it might make things tricky early," Magri conceded.

"If he begins like can he though he can get himself into the race. He's as good as I can have him without being to the races.

"I've built him up through trials at Bulli, Richmond, Wentworth Park and a 600 at Dapto on Monday.

"His post to post at Wenty he went 23.70 so he's going well. It's just a matter of getting back into racing now."

If Zipping Kansas can land the Association Cup he'll atone for last year's shock failure as a warm favourite in the race won by Gypsy Wyong.

"His main aim is The 715 at The Gardens in a month's time," Magri said.

"The plan has been to have him peaking for that."

The 715, the world's richest staying event, carries a winner's purse of $500,000.