It was a case of thirtieth time lucky for Koo Wee Rup pacer Zipping Elmo at the Cranbourne harness racing meeting last Saturday night.
The four-year-old gelding by Julius Caesar finally found the winning post first after 29 previous 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 won for a while, 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 which have raced, having 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 week, January 18.
Local trainer Michael Hughes also had a victory at the meeting on Saturday night, when Rocknroll Gold won the opening race.
Kyle Galley