Sultana Family triumphs with Au Contraire in Listed Ultra Sense
The Sultana family were celebrating in force at Wentworth Park on Golden Easter Egg night, Saturday, April 20, 2024, when Au Contraire won the 2024 Listed Ultra Sense.
The well deserved win for the father and daughter training combination, Sam and Kristy Sultana, only added to the excitement of Sam's other daughter, Michelle, who won the 2024 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg in training partnership with Darryl Thomas and Paul Abela.
The popular Sultana family have been stalwarts of the NSW greyhound racing scene for the best part of three decades, at least.
Kristy Sultana famously trained 2020 NSW Greyhound Of The Year Flying Ricciardo, who has since become a sensation at stud, but she had taken a break from training after starting a young family.
The talented young NSW trainer has now returned to the training ranks in partnership with her father, Sam, who has had some health issues.
Au Contraire's win in the Listed Ultra Sense underlines how formidable the father-daughter training partnership will be in NSW greyhound racing.
Au Contraire was contesting her first black-type final on Saturday night, coming in to the $25,000 to-the-winner with six prior wins at Richmond and two prior wins and three placings at Wentworth Park in graded company.
Greyhound punters had rated the daughter of Get It Gizmo and Wonderful World a +900 hope with greyhound bookmakers, but as soon as the lids rose, the price was overs.
The diminutive 25kg black bitch was able to lead from box two, and despite a challenge from Camilla Keeping in the back straight, she was able to hold the lead and the rails to go on for a determined win in 29.97.
Stop It, the +250 race favourite from box one, ran on for second 0.75 lengths away, while Leg Speed was a further 0.25 lengths away in third.
2024 Listed Ultra Sense – Au Contraire (29.77) T: Sam Sultana
Au Contraire, who only turned two-years-old during race week, has now had 24 starts for nine wins and 10 placings.
She has earned breeders and owners, Nick and Lisa De La Roche, $60,402 in prizemoney.
Kristy Sultana has high hopes for the likeable Au Contraire going forward, saying, “She just gives 100% every time.”
“That is all you can ask for in a dog.
“She's just such an honest chaser.
“And she's just got a heart of gold too.”
2022 Listed Ultra Sense
2024 Ultra Sense Results Wentworth Park 520m Listed $25,000 to-the-winner Saturday, April 20, 2024 29.77
|
|
| 1st |
2 Au Contraire
T: Sam Sultana 29.77 – $25,000 +900
|
| 2nd |
1 Stop It
T: Jason Magri 30.01 0.75 lengths $5,500 +250
|
| 3rd |
4 Leg Speed
T: Mark Gatt 30.04 1 lengths $3,500 +360
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| 4th |
7 Camilla Keeping
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| 5th |
3 Speedy Pie
T: Jason Magri 30.37 5.75 lengths +300
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| 6th |
8 Cawbourne Apollo
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| 7th |
5 Betty Birdcage
T: Shane Pullbrook 30.53 8 lengths +10000
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| 8th |
6 Wallacia Mist
T: Luke Brown 30.67 10 lengths +600
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