Valpolicella bids farewell to ‘minders’ with scintillating victory

By Pat McLeod

Greyhound ‘minders’, Sharon and Barry Morris, exit Zammit headquarters knowing they have successfully overseen the career growth spurt of one of Queensland’s most exciting young distance prospects, Valpolicella.

As celebrated trainer Tony Zammit made the long trek back from a Cairns holiday to his base at Yatala, just south of Brisbane, Valpolicella again created a ‘wow’ moment with a sizzling finish to take out a fifth grade Final at Albion Park on Thursday night.

Most, including Sharon Morris, thought the Shima Shine – Saldana youngster was no chance with 50 metres to go.

But, in what is becoming a trademark finish, she hit the afterburners, and an inside line, to blitz past Baccarat Boy (trained by Tony Apap), who finished second by just a quarter of a length, and third-placed Get Carter (Grant Franklin).

“It was a very good finish,” Sharon said. 

“When I saw who was in front of her up the straight I thought she was gone.

“Then in the last 50 metres she said, ‘I'm going’ and she went.”

The Morris’, who live near Gatton, west of Ipswich, have been successful trainers in their own right, but have decided that the next phase of their lives would be to hitch up their caravan, travel, and also ‘kennel sit’ for other trainers who need a break.

During their 10-day stint at the Zammits they have boxed Valpolicella for two ‘sit-up-and-take-notice’ wins.

Tony Zammit has earmarked the exciting chaser for a 700 metre campaign and she has certainly made an impression on Sharon.

“She is special this one,” she said.

“And, I think she knows she's special. That's what we have found with good dogs, they know they are good.

“Around the kennels she thinks she owns the place.

“That was a really, really good field. I thought she got too far back and I thought she was gone. But, I couldn't believe how she finished.”

By Friday afternoon Sharon and Barry will have packed up and moved on, but there will be no sad farewells.

“There will just be smiles,” Sharon said. “Because we will continue to watch Tony’s dogs race. We will follow them. We will enjoy their careers.

“We get the best of both worlds. We still get to enjoy the dogs, but we also get to travel and go to new destinations.”

Next, they are off to Torbanlea, north of Maryborough, and then back to the Brisbane region.

Respected greyhound mentor Tom Tzouvelis was again, justifiably, lauding his kennel lieutenant, Jedda Cutlack, after another stellar night at 'The Creek' on Thursday night.

The young trainer had starters in seven of the 12 races on the program and won or placed in six of those with her final tally: three wins, three seconds and a third.

“This industry needs more young people involved and Jedda is the perfect example,” Tzouvelis said.

“She is dedicated, hard-working and just loves these animals. Her results show her ability as a trainer.

“As I say to her: ‘This sport runs in cycles. There will always be ups and downs. So, when you are up, well you ride that as much as you can’.”

Meanwhile, making a winning return on Thursday night was Jemma Daley’s Digital Sea in a novice race over 520 metres.

The Barcia Bale - Ricolina Girl bitch showed plenty of early promise making three ‘black type’ Finals – fifth in the Vince Curry Memorial Maiden at Ipswich, second the Ipswich Auction Series and fourth in the QGOLD Rookies.

Digital Sea had been sidelined since early June.

“She had a couple of little niggling injuries and we just wanted to get them right before we brought her back to the track,” Daley’s partner Tarquin Neal said. 

“She was busy early. She went from the Vince Curry straight into the auction series and then straight into the QGOLD series. She performed very well in all three. She does have a bit of ability this bitch. We certainly like her.

“I was really happy with tonight's run. She certainly hung on. The time wasn't there, but tonight was just about bringing her back and hopefully being in the winner’s circle. We will map out a program for her now.”

Also at Albion Park on Thursday night, Sandra Hunt’s Ablett Hayze upset a class field to take out a fourth grade 520 metre event.

Tony Brett’s Group performer Just A Sort, on the comeback trail from injury, may have been beaten back into third place, but found plenty of trouble and there was a lot to like about how he finished.

Finishing out of a place was Greg Stella’s carnival top performer Magistrate, who started as a $2.40 favourite, and also Cyndie Elson’s highly fancied runner Atomic Bill ($2.80).

“I looked at the field and I thought, I have got no hope,” Hunt said. 

“You have to be happy with a win. He (Ablett Hayze) is just a good, solid performer. He is just around the 30 mark, but he is a very determined dog.”

Owner and trainers Peter Mcblane and partner Angela Brown had to wait for success until late into Thursday night’s program, but the wait was worth it.

Their talented youngster Brimstone, who is trained by Selena Zammit, backed up his win in the Ipswich Young Guns over 520 metres last Saturday night with victory in race 10. 

Then in Race 11, litter mate Mahuika, owned and trained by Angela, saluted by six and a half lengths.