French Martini magnificent in Group 2 Black Top final
French Martini had the biggest cheer squad trackside at The Gardens on Friday night for the running of the Group 2 Black Top final (515m), which was a star-studded affair, including the likes of Gatlin, Zipping Kyrgios and Zipping Maserati.
However, the daughter of Aston Dee Bee and Sheez My Chicki gave her adoring fans plenty to cheer about, saluting from box seven in 29.40 by three lengths, on a rain-affected Newcastle circuit.
After Zipping Maserati stepped clearly from box six, French Martini followed him across at the first turn, taking the lead halfway into the back straight, after he unfortunately went amiss.
The second-fastest greyhound to ever contest the The Gardens 515m distance Gatlin chased gamely, while known finisher Zipping Kyrgios motored down the home straight to finish runner-up, with Melinda Finn securing second and third placegetters.
2022 Black Top final – French Martini, Trainer: Peter Lagogiane
It was just another feat for master mentor Peter Lagogiane. After having no luck in the 2022 Million Dollar Chase final, the team can treat this victory as somewhat of a consolation prize.
Lagogiane despite having won two Million Dollar Chase finals on previous occasions was as emotional and excited as you will ever see him as he provided owner Adam Brandt, a Newcastle local with the realisation he'd achieved a lifelong dream.
“I just can't believe it,” Brandt said post-race.
“This means so much being a Newcastle local and something I never thought would happen.”
Lagogiane paid homage to the 28kg chaser's tenacity and will to win, overcoming some tricky box draws in recent times to notch up her 11 career victories to date, from just 19 starts.
French Martini started her career over the 515m journey at the track in brilliant fashion back in March, victorious in a heat of the inaugural Robert Smith Memorial Maiden Final in 29.22. She stepped out a week later from yes, box seven and saluted by 9.5 lengths in 29.53.
She now has amassed over $141,000 in prizemoney earnings, with a plethora of feature race options in the coming months for Lagogiane to consider.