Andrew Bell traveled from Boggabri to Dawson Park on Friday night with a number of chances for the heats of the prestigious Lesley Ann Leonard Memorial series.
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But the one dog he didn’t expect to advance, Zipping Tully, will be his sole representative in the final after scoring a shock win at the Dubbo track.
The $8.90 chance flew home to steal victory from Charmaine Roberts’ Bronelly Beat ($6.60) in the second of the seven heats.
Despite missing out to the Bell-trained runner, Roberts still had reason to smile as she went on to win three of later heats to ensure favouritism for the $5,000-to-the-winner final to be contested this Friday night.
While Roberts was always favoured to appear in the final, Bell confessed he didn’t expect Zipping Tully to go through.
“He likes Dubbo, he’s been here about five times and has won two and has got a couple of seconds.
“But I wasn’t expecting him to win. He did well though, he came from behind and chased the leader down so he ran home well and is in the final now.
“We’d love a couple in the final but he’s not one I was expecting to be there. But it’s good to have one.”
Bronelly Beat appeared to have the race won when heading into the straight but despite Zipping Tully veering wide, he powered home down the straight to win by a head with Over Watch ($4.20) in third.
Earlier, the first heat of the series had been won by Wellington trainer Bradley O’Neil and Myrniong Smello.
Friday night was only Myrniong Smello’s third start back from a lengthy absence – a hock injury kept him out for five months – but he showed he’s still got talent when winning three-quarters-of-a-length.
O’Neil’s chance was the worst out of the boxes but soon powered into third spot and got a rails run.
He entered the straight in third but had too much pace for the other contenders and got home ahead of Heza Fusion ($9) and Roberts’ Bronelly Pearl ($2 favourite).
“He did a hock and we brought him back at Coonamble and he did alright and then we gave him a trial before this,” O’Neil said.
“He’s a strong dog and he won’t leave the fence.
“We’ll just wait now and see where I draw (for the final) but hopefully it’s alright.”
Roberts’ time to shine came later in the meeting when she won heats with Mick Keeping ($5.10), Jimbo ($3.40) and Give Us Peace ($1.90).
The latter was a particularly imposing eight-and-three-quarter-length victory in the time of 22.83 seconds. That was the only win recorded under 23 seconds and cements Give Us Peace as an early favourite for the final.
Mervyn Townsend’s Action Kid ($3.50) and the Robert Hatton-trained Little Bluebird ($6.80) were the other heat winners.
The final field will be released on Tuesday.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
