Whiskey Kicks Off Summer Scorch In Newcastle Cup

PARKESBOURNE trainer Mick Hardman has ambitious plans for his powerful stayer Zipping Whiskey starting on Saturday at The Gardens.

Mick Hardman and Zipping Whiskey venture to the Newcastle track chasing the Ladbrokes Newcastle Cup over the 715 metre staying trip.

FIELDS AND FORM THE GARDENS SATURDAY

Zipping Whiskey, a son of US stud dog SH Avatar, steps back up the extended distance for the first time since suffering a serious injury back in June.

"He hurt a back muscle in the final of the Dashing Corsair at Albion Park in Queensland back in June," Hardman said.

"He went home to Marty (Hallinan) for three months and then when he came back home and in his first few trials he was running the times that he normally did."

Zipping Whiskey returned to Hardman's kennels in September and was back at the races in October.

Two starts over 520m and two more 600m runs, Zipping Whiskey now steps up to his preferred staying trip in Saturday's $25,000-to-thhe-winner non-graded feature and he will exit from a favourable box two.

G3 @tabcomau Dashing Corsair Heat 1 710m

1st: Zipping Whiskey (2) – 42.09
2nd: She's In Clover (3)
3rd: Jimmy Intention (1)#QLDisRacing@RaceQLD @tabcomau @SkyRacingAU @GerardDaffy @Bunny_Brasch @MMcInallyPhotos pic.twitter.com/AaROuTJrOa

— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) May 31, 2023

"It's just been a matter of building him back up," Hardman said.

"Ideally, I would have liked to give him a start over 700m before Saturday night but unfortunately the way the calander is, there hasn't been a suitable race for him.

"In saying that, he's such a strong dog, he's the type that we might be able to get away with it.

"I slipped him 680 metres at Wentworth Park a couple of weeks ago and he ran 12.30 home.

"I've worked him pretty hard this week so compensate for not having a 700 metre run under the belt.

"He's ripping and tearing to go. He's going as good as ever the dog.

"He'll eat the last 100 metres up on Saturday."

Saturday's night's start point will launch Zipping Whiskey into the New Year with Hardman holding ambitious plans for the red brindle chaser.

"After Saturday, we'll hopefully go to the Wenty for the Christmas Cheer next Saturday," he said.

"It's a Group 3 worth $25,000-to-the-winner.

"After that the Summer Distance Plate is at Wenty early in January and then the Gold Cup is on in Brisbane so I'll be getting back on the road with him.

"You also have a few feature races in Melbourne early in the New Year so we'll definitely be going interstate."