Trainer hopes Zephyr has the smarts to hit QGOLD jackpot

By Pat McLeod

Gerald Corrigan’s Zephyr will need every bit of the youngster’s track smarts to hit the QGOLD jackpot at Ipswich on Saturday night.

The Tommy Shelby and Flying Yuna chaser was the fastest of the three heat winners last week in a best of the night 30.37 seconds over the Ipswich 520 metres. 

However, it is the dog’s decisions in running that is impressing Corrigan, especially after drawing the seven ally in the Final.

“He seems to be quite street-smart during a race and he's making some really good decisions as far as making a run goes and that is so important,” the Lowood trainer said.

“He surprised me with his heat run because I didn't think he could go that quick, although, every start he improves and is going quicker.

“I was starting to think, ‘Well how well can he go?’ And then he came out on Saturday night and ran a 30.37 personal best.

“I thought, ‘Wow he's not a bad little boy after all’.

“Cash Cloud (trained by Darren Russell) certainly looked a danger in the heat, but I never thought during the race that my dog would get run down because he has been showing me recently that he has got good strength.

“When he hits the front he seems to hang in there - loves it on the bunny and he's hitting the line really well.

“When you come home in 11.73 seconds there are not many that will run you down.”

Last Saturday’s other two QGOLD heats were won by Cash On Demand (Corey Mutton) in 30.68 seconds and Blow In (Josh Priest) in 30.74 seconds. 

“Given the times in the other heats I think this Final will be between Zephyr and Cash Cloud, who ran second to him last Saturday,” Corrigan said.

“So, yes another duel between these two, however anything can happen once you put them in the boxes.

“I think there is reason for a bit of confidence going into the Final.

“As far as starts go, the best my bloke has gone is about 5.32 seconds to the mark.

“As long as he is not too far behind them, I think he will be alright considering how well he does in the run.”

The QGOLD Final, restricted to Queensland-bred dogs, offers $10,010 to the winner, which would be a nice boost for Zephyr, whose statistics currently sit at four wins and five placings form 13 starts for $17,960 in prize money.

Corrigan said the QGOLD prize money was a fantastic incentive for hobby trainers like him.

“My partner Robyn and I buy a couple of pups from a litter every few years, so I think the QGOLD is a great concept," the dog man said. 

“We do all the work with the pups as young dogs, bring them through and so we only ever have a couple of dogs racing.

“I have been training dogs, initially in Adelaide, since I was about 37. I turn 71 in January.

“I came up here (to Queensland) about 27 years ago. I love this industry and these animals are the best breed of dog you can have.”

As per his training regime, Corrigan has just the two dogs in work at the moment, Zephyr and litter brother Kilkenny Blue, who also was supposed to campaign in the QGOLD heats, but was scratched with a shoulder injury.

The plan for Zephyr after Saturday night’s Final is the $45,000 Ipswich Young Guns (heats on July 13 before the Final on July 20).

“I believe that he is up to that Young Guns class, but I never get too carried away with dogs,” Corrigan said.

“But, he is showing the right signs, getting better and better.

“After the Young Guns we will possibly go to Albion Park. Give him a couple of trials there and see how he goes.”