Zip Zip Aray Wins Horse of Year Award

Sunday, 15 September 2002 00:00

Goodwood Handicap winner Zip Zip Aray was last night crowned as the South Australian Horse of the Year at the industry awards night in Adelaide.

The David Jolly trained gelding had six starts during the season for three wins and one placing, when an unlucky third in the Yallambee Classic.

Based on a points based system the son of Bellotto gave his rookie trainer and promising young Victorian senior Brian Park with their first Group One wins when he won South Australia's premier sprinting event in May.

Jolly, who's father Peter is a trainer and brother Richard who recently took over as Aquanita's Adelaide trainer, felt he had a handy performer from the first timme he was given a serious gallop.

"The first time I saw him gallop I knew he would make a good horse. He had a lovely action and a great temperament," Jolly said.

"But I also knew he would just need a bit of time to develop, which is why he’s so lightly raced. I was amazed though at how he kept making giant steps and improved a few lengths each and every run."

"So much has to go right to win races like the Goodwood and to do it with a locally-bred horse on my home track was just such a thrill. I’ll remember the day forever," he added.

Zip Zip Aray is raced by well known Adelaide publicans Wayne and Jenny Francis and Jenny's brother Ray Borda. The same trio bred the gelding.

"To breed a horse and see it win is just an amazing thrill. While I’ve had my share of winners, you joke about breeding and racing a Group 1 winner," Wayne Francis said.

"Some people wait their whole lives and never see it happen so to do it was just incredible. It takes a while to sink in," he added.