Former Kiwi blitzes rivals in 1:48.6

Former Kiwi pacer Betterzippit (Betterthancheddar) stamped himself as a major player for Perth’s new $1 million Nullarbor slot race with a stunning Menangle harness racing win last night (Apr. 1).

The five-year-old made it five wins from just six starts for training phenomenon Jason Grimson when he won by a huge space and smashed the clock.

Betterzippit worked to the front and sailed away to win by 13.7m in a 1min48.6sec mile – that’s 0.2sec faster than Catch A Wave went to win last month’s Miracle Mile.

Grimson didn’t hide his confidence in the pacer: “You’ll see the best of him (in Perth) … I can’t see him getting beaten, to be honest,” he said.

BETTERZIPPIT REPLAY

The previous night, brilliant WA pacer Magnificent Storm (American Ideal) showed he was back in peak form at just the right time for the Nullarbor.

Magnificent Storm broke a rare six-race losing streak to post his 28th win from just 44 starts in the 2130m free-for-all at Gloucester Park last Friday night.

The former Kiwi gelding settled midfield in the running line, was suited by a slick early burn and left his rivals standing when driver Aldo Cortopassi cut him loose at the 450m.

Lavra Joe charged home late for an eye-catching second in a reverse of the Bunbury Cup just six days earlier.

The disappointment of the race was classy Jumpinjackmac, who had the one-one sit, but couldn’t go when driver Gary Hall Jr asked, raced roughly, and finished last.

Magnificent Storm, Diego and Lavra Joe are the best of the locals in the Nullarbor against NSW raiders Betterzippit, Spirit Of St Louis and Loyalist.

The other Gloucester Park highlight last Friday was former Kiwi mare Simply Shaz’s all-the-way upset win over a luckless Wonderful To Fly in the $75,000 Group 2 Empress Stakes for mares.

Wonderful To Fly sat behind the winner, but couldn’t get room and protested unsuccessfully.

Jess Tubbs’ stable is on fire as she prepares for a Kiwi raid for the Race by Grins with Better Eclipse and Triple Eight.

Tubbs’ former Kiwi trotter One Over All (Angus Hall) made it four wins on end – the past three in country cups – when he snared last Friday night’s Ararat Trotters’ Cup off a 20m handicap.

But she has decided against taking stable star Just Believe to NZ, instead opting to freshen him up.

Females dominated Ararat Cup night with pacing cup winner Cant Top This trained by Emma Stewart and driven by Kerryn Manning.

Star trotter Aldebaran Zeus (Muscle Hill) suffered a shock defeat in his final lead-up run before heading to New Zealand.

The Brent Lilley-trained five-year-old led as a $1.60 favourite and looked home rounding the final bend before $30 shot Bullion Harry flashed home to snatch victory on the line.

It was Aldebaran Zeus’ first run since he led throughout to beat Australia’s top trotter, Just Believe, at Group 1 level at Menangle on March 4.

Andy Gath’s latest Kiwi import Just Rollyourownway (Rock N Roll Heaven) looked sharp winning his first run for the stable in a 1200m race at Melton last night.

The five-year-old worked hard to lead and seemed to win comfortably.

He’s one of an army of horses Mick Boots, who is rapidly becoming Australia’s biggest owner, has on his books.

For complete Melton results, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand