Lanigan Launches NSW Nationals Raid

IN less than two years of training, young Victorian mentor Matt Lanigan has wasted absolutely no time making his mark, most notably winning the Group 1 Hobart Thousand in 2016 with Zipping Bruiser.

Now Lanigan is hoping to find himself in the very unusual position of representing NSW in the Group 1 Crocmedia National Sprint Championship at Sandown Park on August 24.

Lanigan will make the long drive from Swan Hill to Wentworth Park for Saturday night's NSW National Sprint heats with kennel newcomer Zipping Clive, a December '15 son of Turanza Bale and Zipping Willow, formerly trained by three-time Nationals winner Jason Mackay.

Zipping Clive has started only once for Lanigan, running third at Horsham last Saturday, but he's won five from 14 at Wentworth Park, with a scorching personal best of 29.65, and won four of his last six starts in NSW before relocating to Victoria.

"It would be a bit strange to represent NSW," Matt Lanigan quipped.

"But Swan Hill is right on the border with NSW and my straight track is actually in NSW. We probably travel to NSW every day, so we're half NSW!

"It would be different to represent NSW but it's an opportunity to run in a Group 1 race and that is something you never take for granted.

"Zipping Clive has got such a good record at Wentworth Park, he's been around there plenty of times and he's run fast time there.

"We've had him for about six weeks now and he's only had one start for us, so it's a learning experience for us and it's a good opportunity to see how he goes travelling.

"Because we're so far away from any tracks we do plenty of travelling – we're lucky we like driving – and it will be a good experience for when we might go back to Wentworth Park later in the year, especially for the new race that has just been announced (Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase), or other NSW races like the Black Top or Megastar."

Zipping Clive has drawn box six in the third of four NSW Sprint heats, between what loom at his two biggest threats in Catch Me Curly (box 5), a last start 29.80 winner at Wentworth Park, and Sky Wave (box 7), the winner of 17 from 28.

"It's worked a bit in his favour that he's eligible for the NSW heats," Lanigan offered.

"The NSW dogs are really good but I've just been looking at the fields for the Victorian Sprint heats at Sandown and they're sensational. They could be the final or Group 1 races themselves!

"His heat looks a pretty even race. There is a bit of pace on his outside and he's not the best box dog, so that might be a concern. His strength is his middle section and his run home time and if he's close enough we know he'll be storming home late.

"He'll probably need a bit of luck, so we'll cross our fingers, but he's happy and he's settled in well and dreaming is free!"

Lanigan currently trains five dogs and all carry the Zipping prefix, which is hardly surprising, considering the enormous success he has had with prominent NSW breeder Martin Hallinan's potent line, highlighted by two-time Hobart Thousand finalist Zipping Bruiser and Australian Cup finalist Zipping Inglis.

"I've been training for two years in September and I've had really good success with the Zipping dogs," Lanigan said.

"Zipping Bruiser won the Hobart Thousand in 2016 and then made the final again last year, Zipping Inglis made the Australian Cup Final this year, Zipping Hooch finished second in the (Group 2) Launching Pad and Zipping Quinsee ran third in the (Group 3) Gawler Cup.

"We also made the Sandown Cup and Bold Trease finals with Moment To Jive.

"Buying the dogs off Martin and Fiona (Hallinan) and getting them from Jason (Mackay) has worked out very well and makes it easy.

"They mightn't be superstars but they come ready to race, they've been so well trained, they love to run and they're hard chasers. I've become really good mates with Jason. He's been very good to me, not only as a mate, but in giving out advice. He's been absolutely sensational.

"Zipping Clive reminds me so much of Zipping Bruiser; his personality and his traits. Our goal with Zipping Clive will be the Hobart Thousand again and while it's still a while away I think Hobart will suit him like it suited Zipping Bruiser.

"The Zipping dogs are very strong and they can really let rip up the long straight at Hobart."

Lanigan will also bring Zipping Blaze to Sydney on Saturday, with the September '15 son of Fernando Bale and Zipping Tess also drawing box six in the free-for-all sprint.