It was a case of 30th time lucky for Koo Wee Rup pacer Zipping Elmo at the Cranbourne meeting last Saturday night.
Zipping Elmo finally found the winning post first after 29 races without a win for trainer Neil "Bluey" Preston.
Driver John McGuinness was able to slot Zipping Elmo in behind the leader in the early stages of the race. Appreciating the tempo set in front, Zipping Elmo gained an inside advantage in the home straight and came clear to beat Tizeh Lucky Lady and Blue Chip Madam.
In an event containing several horses that had not season the winners' circle in some time, Zipping Elmo started at the enormous odds of $61.80, making the four-year-old the rank outsider of the 10-horse field.
Zipping Elmo's dam, Lotaliberty, has left three foals who have raced and had 140 starts between them for just three victories, proving trotting people are a patient lot.
Preston and McGuinness are two veteran horsemen on the Gippsland racing circuit and will no doubt race Zipping Elmo locally again at Warragul on Wednesday, January 18.
Local trainer Michael Hughes also had a victory at the meeting on Saturday night when Rocknroll Gold won the opening race.
