Strong Presence For NSW In Speed Star

AS is always the case when NSW pin-up sprinter Feral Franky is going about his business, it's nearly impossible to take your eyes off him.

He's captured the imagination of the racing public … and then some.

And that was certainly the case again at Wentworth Park on Saturday night when the Jack Smith-trained star returned from a fortnight off to record a slashing 29.63 free-for-all triumph, the 16th win of his 29 start career.

This Sunday, Smith and his group 1 winning sprinter set sail for Sandown Park where the son of Collision will solo trial in a bid to qualify for the September 15 515-metre Speed Star series.

Back in May, a wet behind the ears Feral Franky finished a gallant second to Flynn in the Bill Collins Speed Star Series, posting a slashing 29.20 in his match race victory over an out of sorts Midnight Dare, after qualifying a week earlier for the event with a flying 29.27 trial.

Leading the Speed Star (515m) qualifying times heading into this weekend's racing is the Andrea Dailly-trained Lucy's Milo at 29.292.

Currently eighth in the standings is Group 2 McKenna Memorial winner Often Imitated at 29.353, wedged in between the pair a host of quality performers.

All things being equal – mainly track and weather conditions – one would expect Feral Franky's move into the top eight this Sunday to be a rather seamless task.

While Feral Franky grabbed all the headlines in Saturday night's free for all victory at headquarters, it was impossible not to catch the run of Zipping Truvy finishing third, making up a mountain of ground in the run to finish just a length off the winner.

For her trainer Rob Tyler, it's not a matter of if, but when, he pulls the trigger and steps the prodigious talent up over longer.

"The plan is to try and qualify her for the 595m Speed Star at Sandown next month," said her trainer Rob Tyler.

"She's only had six starts but it's getting to the point I can't hold her back from going further any longer. Everything she's doing and showing me is saying she's crying out for further and that format looks ideal for her to kick off in."

A sister to the brilliant Zipping Garth, unbeaten in five starts before being retired to stud following injury, Tyler is convinced Zipping Truvy has all the ingredients to make it as a future A-grade stayer.

"I copped a bit of flack for her being in a free for all (on Saturday) after just a handful of starts but I was really a victim of circumstance," explained Tyler.

"Some of the run home times she's running are almost impossible to believe … at this stage I'm looking to trial her at Sandown Saturday week and look to secure a spot in a trial the Sunday after."

Meanwhile, Tyler informed his Group 3 Christmas Gift winner Modus Operandi is on track for a racetrack return in the next week or two.

"He's not getting any younger and we've had a few niggling injuries to iron out but I'm happy with where he's at now," said Tyler.

"The Masters Meteor over the Million Dollar Chase Carnival is the plan for him … it's terrific prizemoney for the older dogs and the plan is to have him spot on for that. 

"Sashay is going really well also, I'm pleased with her trials … I'm hoping she'll be in at Wenty on the weekend if there's a race for her."