Orlando Blooms In Zoom Top Maiden Series

UNDER clear skies, Aston Barak posted a blazing 24.38 to secure the inaugural Southern Stars at Goulburn on Friday, yet the large crowd was as engaged by four high class heats of the Zoom Top Maiden (440m).

Trial sessions at Goulburn have been heavily booked since the start of the month and this $25,000 to-the-winner feature had 23 youngsters (of 32 aspirants) step out for the first time and the heavily supported Zipping Orlando (Zipping Garth – Zipping Dharma) set the time standard.

A son of Zipping Garth, Zipping Orlando overcame a moderate start from box three to secure the third of four heats by just on seven lengths in a sizzling 24.56.

Earlier, Rockstar Apollo (Barcia Bale – Rockstar Stratus) dominated in 24.59 before Fast Reason (Aston Dee Bee – Zakuska Zipper) snared heat two in 24.68.

The final heat went to the speedy Len Me Dad (Fernando Bale – Winxette) in 24.78, with his first section (5.57) the sharpest of the heats.

As much as $5.50 was available in early Fixed Odds wagering about Zipping Orlando's prospects yet he was soon long odds on and his supporters were given little cause for concern.

"He showed tremendous potential when breaking in," owner-breeder Martin Hallinan said.

"His dam won at Sandown over 515m but was more fast than strong but Orlando is clearly a bit different to (Zipping) Dharma.

"The others in the litter broke in very well but he was the standout."

John and Minnie Finn have the entire litter (of four) in work and Minnie confirmed that the best is yet to come.

"We trialled here last week and he (Orlando) went terrific but his box manners aren't perfect yet," Minnie Finn said.

"This is not as easy track first up but he trialled around what he produced today … his last bit was super."

Zipping Maserati has been a good advertisement for Zipping Garth yet this bloke might well go to the next level and Minnie Finn later gave Zipping Orlando the ultimate accolade.

"In his first trial at Wentworth Park, Zipping Kyrgios ran 29.80 and Orlando ran 29.60-odd," she added before heading off home with Orlando along with siblings Mercedes, Sabrina and Sterling – Zipping's all.

Zipping Kyrgios has raced and beaten the best in the land. From 66 starts, he's managed 29 wins and 21 placings with career earnings just shy of $430,000.

The box draw for the Zoom Top Maiden will conducted on Tuesday and, with so little between the heat winners time-wise, opportunity rather than ability might well decide which hound prevails.