CLEAR WINNER: Billabong Cafe was clear of the pack in winning race five at Maitland Showground on Thursday. Picture by STUART SCOTT 170812SS019
Zipping Mitch backed up his victory in the heats of the City Hotels Challenge at Maitland Showground with a win in the final on Thursday night.
The brindle dog comes from Jason Mackay’s kennels in Richmond Vale and went into the race as equal fastest qualifier with Wallamba Blackie, who came in second.
Zipping Mitch jumped from box four and made an average start before fighting his way to the front.
He won the 450m event by two lengths and shaved 0.22 seconds off his heat time to win in 25.26 seconds.
Maitland Greyhounds Club marketing and promotions manager Fred Robertson said Zipping Mitch’s run was one of several quick times on the night.
“Blitz To Excel took out race four in a very quick time of 22.35 seconds,” he said.
“That was a very impressive run.”
The last time Blitz To Excel was in Maitland, he beat champion greyhound Oaks Road in their heat in the Gold Cup, which the 2011 NSW Greyhound of the Year nominee went on to win.
Robertson was also impressed with race nine winner Unexplained.
Making his debut at Maitland, the black dog ran the 450m race in 25.32 seconds after a woeful start.
After being positioned dead
last after the first third of the
450m race, Unexplained fought his way to the front for a 1¾ length win.
