Zammit marvels at million-dollar Valpolicella

By Jordan Gerrans

For two greyhounds to tick past the magical $1 million milestone for career earnings in the same race underlines just how far the sport has come in Australia.

That is the view of Hall Of Fame mentor Tony Zammit after his star bitch Valpolicella reached the significant figure last Thursday evening alongside fellow boom distance runner Palawa King.

‘The King’ went past $1 million in truly dominant fashion by winning the feature Origin Distance event for the visiting NSW side.

The voice of Albion Park John 'Bunny' Brasch rightly made a big deal in his call of Jack Smith’s dog's special occasion. 

Zammit’s bitch had to settle for third on Thursday.

But, still running in the money edged her to $1,002,495 across her career from 54 starts.

In doing so, Palawa King and Valpolicella became the 15^th and 16^th dogs respectively in the history of the sport to go past the million dollar mark.

Fellow Queensland star Jay Is Jay is also inside the top 16 and is ranked third overall.

The significance of the moment was not lost on veteran dog man Zammit.

“It is a great milestone for greyhound racing,” he said.

“Any dog that can reach that sort of mark now, it is something that we only ever used to hear in horse racing once.

“I was just so excited that she was able to do it and not just her but Palawa King as well in the same race, winning that race put him past the mark.

“It is good for staying dogs as you usually find the big money races are for 520 metres, but for two stayers to reach that mark – it is great for people potentially breeding stayers.

“I am really pleased for the owner Sandro Bechini, particularly him being the breeder, to have a dog that can do that. It has been great for everybody.”

After clashing on the Origin stage last Thursday, the million dollar pair meet again this week as invitees for the $107,825 Group 2 Superstayers Invitational over 710 metres.

The selection panel considered performances of greyhounds across the staying calendar around Australia, with greyhounds from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia to do battle in the four-greyhound shoot-out.

The two millionaires will tackle Irish Mille (trained by Stephen Whyte) and Lena Jinx (Tony Brett) in the unique format.

The four-greyhound format will see every contestant get their chance to display their true ability and it provides a perfect lead up race for the Group 1 Queensland Cup series commencing on June 27.

“The four-dog race – it will be a challenge for all of them,” Zammit said.

“Valpolicella has box one and she normally likes the outside but she did break the record at The Gardens from the one box in a 700 metre race there.

“In a small field, box one is probably going to be ok as you have that vacant box between each runner.

“There is a bit of speed in the dog in box three from Adelaide and naturally Palawa King – another champion stayer – I think the four-dog format will suit him down to the ground.

“Palawa King is a strong run-on-type dog. It is a real quality field.”

Valpolicella’s career winning hit-list includes a Group 1 Zoom Top triumph, the Gold Cup on home soil in Brisbane and the recent $500,000 The 715 at The Gardens.

She has shown she can lead and win, as well as weaving through the field from behind.

But, according to the Yatala conditioner, she has one chink in her armour.

It is that she gets too worked up pre-race.

He believes that was the case last Thursday when she ran third in the state-against-state battle.

“Origin night she was very, very worked up in the kennel block before she went out to race,” the master trainer said.

“It is probably one of the only problems she has, she gets herself worked up.

“Because she went so hard early, it may have just taken the edge off her at the finish of the race.

“She has worked well up the straight this week. It is nice to be back racing on our home turf after being away for some time with her.”

The legendary trainer has recently remarked Valpolicella has overtaken Trojan Tears as the greatest dog he has ever prepared.

Trojan Tears was a special dog for Zammit and her connections, winning 30 races for over $150,000 in prize money, as well as becoming the first-ever dog to win Greyhound of the Year honours in two states, being her home state of Queensland and south of the border in New South Wales.

Her best performances were saved for the Gabba and Wentworth Park.

She claimed Cup races – including the 1993 Sydney Cup - and broke track records everywhere she went.

Trojan Tears was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2021 Queensland Greyhound of the Year awards.

Zammit says Valpolicella stands out above Trojan Tears for her track and race sense.

“The way that she has been able to win some of the feature races, she has been able to come from behind or lead in the race at The Gardens and won,” he said of Valpolicella. 

“She has been very versatile in her style of racing.

“Trojan Tears was a great front-running stayer, she won most of her feature races by jumping in front but with Valpolicella she can come from behind and weave her way through the field.

“That is something they need to learn themselves – I cannot teach them that. It has been one of her biggest assets to make her the dog she is.”

Zammit is looking to the future and thinks he may have another promising stayer in his team in the way of Mickayla Swift.

Mickayla Swift is a two-time winner from five attempts and is also a daughter of brood bitch Saldana - like Valpolicella.

Following the Group 1 Queensland Cup series, Valpolicella will be aimed towards South Australia’s Angle Park later this year for the Nationals.

As of Wednesday morning, Palawa King is the $1.90 favourite for Thursday's contest with Valpolicella at $3.50.