Zack's Boy One Step Away From Launching Pad Glory

After only 13 starts, Head Honcho boasted 12 scintillating wins yet a toe injury appeared set to curtail the son of Walkabout Sid's career.

During a nine month hiatus, Head Honcho commenced what proved to be a stellar stud career and, while 30-plus years on, Launching Pad finalist Meteor Monelli provides a window of opportunity for his sire Zack Monelli.

A hock fracture sidelined Zack Monelli in June 2020 and, while recuperating, owner-breeder Mike Quinsee elected to mate his regally related Frida Monelli with the son of Barcia Bale.

Meteor Monelli is in fine form ?

He leads all the way once again and breezes through to the Launching Pad Final!

South Australian Victa Alby was in hot pursuit and gets through, too pic.twitter.com/AyYtZDTHVO

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) March 30, 2023

"Zack (Monelli) held the record at Mandurah over 490m and had run 29.47 at Cannington yet he had the potential to run over more ground," Mike Quinsee said.

"And it was not really a tough decision to use him with Frida (Monelli) … she won 17 races but Zack's strength was the X-Factor she needed.

"It was the only mating he had while injured and getting dogs like Meteor and Columbus in his first litter to race is really pleasing."

ZACK MONELLI AT STUD

Meteor Monelli raced twice at Cannington before moving east into Lyn Smith's care and the red fawn dog has really blossomed.

"The Launching Pad was a leap of faith but he's won his heat and semi in all-the-way fashion and the prizemoney (of $10,000 and $15,000 respectively) in the two races has been fantastic.

"The final looks tough, however. You could not be anything but impressed on how Trooper Tears performed in his semi and he's the one to beat having drawn well (box two) next week."

Quinsee's caution is understandable yet Meteor Monelli upset Trooper Tears in his 29.29 heat win on March 23 when able to quickly lead from box seven.

The $150,000 to-the-winner Launching Pad title would sit nicely on Meteor Monelli's resume yet his profile will moreover enhance the stud career of his sire.

The likes Bernado, Zambora Brockie and, more recently, Hooked On Scotch, have turned heads with early progeny winning in quick times and Zack Monelli's stocks are certainly on the rise.

"Marty (Hallinan) has two litters by Zack which are just on 12 months of age and he's prepared to use him again," Quinsee added.

Box draw for next Thursday night's Group 3 #LaunchingPad Final at @sandowndogs ??

1️⃣ DRAGON INN
2️⃣ TROOPER TEARS
3️⃣ DUNDEE REBEL
4️⃣ AL'S ENTITY
5️⃣ STARLINE EXPRESS
6️⃣ VICTA ALBY
7️⃣ TRAPPER TEARS
8️⃣ METEOR MONELLI

Reserves

9️⃣ FALSE CONFIDENCE
? BLAZING DODGE#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/nzjJziyPZQ

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) March 30, 2023

"He's the best in the business in the rearing caper and his recommendation means a lot to me."

The box draw for Thursday's $220,000 Launching Pad is: 1 Dragon Inn, 2 Trooper Tears, 3 Dundee Rebel, 4 Al's Entity, 5 Starline Express, 6 Victa Alby, 7 Trapper Tears, 8 Meteor Monelli. The reserves are False Confidence and Blazing Dodge.