Zipping Volstead improving ahead of Homegrown Classic final

First-start harness racing winner Zipping Volstead (Volstead) has improved out of sight according to her NSW trainer Jarrod Alchin ahead of Saturday night’s Haras Des Trotteurs VicBred Platinum Homegrown Classic final for two-year-old trotting fillies.

The squaregaiter has been staying with Victorian trainer Tyrone Abela in preparation for the $25,000 final at Melton.

The juvenile won the only heat last Friday afternoon at Melton and has since come through the run in good order.

“She has come out good, really good. I couldn’t be happier with her,” Alchin said.

The Menangle horseman has been surprised with the development and growth of the filly out of Zippin Around.

“She has improved so much in the last month. We didn’t think we would be where we are now, we thought we may have had to go back to the paddock before she had a start,” he said.

“She has really improved, but she will have a spell after Saturday night and hopefully she can improve again, but who knows.

“We are not getting too far ahead of ourselves. We are just going to take every step as it comes. A month ago, we didn’t think she would be much good, but she has just gotten so much fitter.

Alchin, 38, has seen the squaregaiter continue to mature.

“She developed a sense of maturity and as she has gotten more and more fitter,” Alchin said.

Zipping Volstead has drawn two with Nathan Jack set to pilot for the 1720m trip. Main danger, the Andy Gath-trained Iron Women has drawn five.

“It is an ideal draw, we needed to draw inside Andy’s (Iron Women) to beat his horse,” he said.

“Hopefully we can lead, and she (Iron Women) will take over the lead and we can sit in and get a good trip and hopefully the best horse wins.”

The Haras Des Trotteurs VicBred Platinum Homegrown Classic final for two-year-old trotting fillies is set to go at 10.30pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria