Valpolicella’s triumph: Zammit’s star stayer shines at Wentworth Park
The Group 3 Christmas Cheer staying race at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, December 16, 2023 was a testament to the well-traveled stayer Valpolicella and her Queensland trainer Tony Zammit.
Onwed in New South Wales by Sandro Bechini Valpolicella showcased her undoubted ability in a dominant staying performance, leading all the way in 41.80.
In the last half of the year, the daughter of Shima Shine and Saldana won seven middle distance and staying races in a row at Albion Park before campaigning at Wentworth Park in the 2023 Group Sydney Cup series, ultimately finishing third in the final.
After briefly returning to Queensland, Valpolicella then headed to Victoria, where she finished unplaced in the 2023 Group 1 Topgun Stayers and was unplaced in the 2023 Group 1 Bold Trease final.
Racing in the best eight Group 3 Christmas Cheer race, Valpolicella was able to gain the lead early and made every post a winner, hitting the finish line in 41.80 while defeating Ritza Piper and Punters Bandit.
2023 Group 3 Christmas Cheer – Valpolicella ($41.80) T: Tony Zammit
Valpolicella has now won 17 races in a 34-start career that has also claimed 12 placings.
The Christmas Cheer's $25,000 first prize takes the black bitches career earnings to $162,735.
Despite her achievements, trainer Tony Zammit remains humble and acknowledges that there is still room for improvement in Valpolicella's future races.
He believes that her east coast group greyhound racing campaigns have been invaluable in honing her skills and enhancing her racing knowledge.
Zammit also acknowledges a stroke of luck when it came to Valpolicella missing out on an Albion Park race the prior Thursday night.
This fortunate turn of events led to Valpolicella's participation in the Christmas Cheer event at Wentworth Park, where she grabbed the opportunity with both paws.
Owner and breeder Sandro Bechini decided to keep her along with one other one from a litter of 11.
Valpolicella in the coming months will target the Gold Cup at Albion Park, the Summer Cup and the Association Cup at Wentworth Park, and The 715 at The Gardens.