Warlord To Head South After National Sprint Win

TOP class sprinter Zulu Warlord could be Victoria bound as soon as this week.

Trainer Mick Hardman said this after the son of Fernando Bale and Zulu Power held off a brave bid by Jungle Deuce to win the zone 2 leg of the NSW National Sprint (520m) at Bathurst on Monday.

He downed Jungle Deuce by a head in 29.72 with Squiggle Keeping in third another five and a quarter lengths away.

It took the Bathurst Cup winner's record to 29 starts for 14 wins and $111,000.

“I thought three times in the run we were in trouble when Jungle Deuce lobbed so close behind him going around the first turn,” Hardman said.

“But he's a great trier this dog and such a wonderful chaser. He's been racing top grade all his life.”

But Mick says zoned racing, restricting him to mainly Bathurst and Dubbo with lack of opposition would almost certainly see Zulu Warlord head to Victoria to continue his racing while the NSW lockdown continues.

“Dubbo rang to put on a Free For All this Saturday and the only dogs they could get was Zulu Warlord and Jungle Deuce,” Hardman said. “The other top grader in the area is Wow. You can understand why trainers wouldn't want to meet that trio each week.”

Hardman said he would discuss with owners, James Shoobridge, Matt Knobbs and John Gosis this week who would get Zulu Warlord to train while in Victoria.

“We have a couple of options and they are great trainers,” said Mick. “I will leave it up to the owners who they choose.

What a thriller!

Zulu Warlord has beaten Jungle Deuce in a close finish in the Zone 2 NSW National Sprint Championship at @bathurstdogs!

Full Results: https://t.co/EDbkVj7tnL#thedogs #nationals #nswnationals #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/74e6hxeEMZ

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) August 9, 2021

“Of course, once the lockdown is over, I want the dog back here.

“But the decision has to be made about sending him south. I always want what is best for the owners.”

Mick was surprised when he first met the trio of owners.

“James rang me out of the blue to find he and his mates a dog,” said Mick. “It took me a couple of months to settle on this bloke. I almost stole him.

“When I first started him at Wentworth Park it was the first time I had met the owners. And, I instantly recognised Matt and John as former schoolmates. I had not seen them for 30 years. We'd been schoolmates way back in grade eight.”

James, Matt and John have since bought another dog, Springview Magic, a 29.60 maiden winner at Wentworth Park and 26.05 winner at Bulli who is now racing in Victoria.

“Those blokes are blessed,” said Mick.