Valpolicella bids farewell to ‘minders’ with scintillating victory

28 July 2023
Valpolicella is regarded as one of Queensland’s most exciting young distance prospects.
Valpolicella

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.”

Valpolicella is regarded as one of Queensland’s most exciting young distance prospects.

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.

Races

8
8

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 9:13 pm

SENNACHIE @ STUD - STEVE WHITE 5th Grade F

1
Valpolicella
T: Tony Zammit
2
Baccarat Boy
T: Tony Apap
3
Get Carter
T: Grant Franklin

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. 

Jedda Cutlack.

Races

1
1

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 6:42 pm

GARRARD'S HORSE AND HOUND

1
Lightning Buzz
T: Jedda Cutlack
2
Darryl Keeping
T: Jedda Cutlack
3
Golden Eye
T: Lindsay Joyce
2
2

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 6:58 pm

BORGBET TIPPING SERVICE

1
Digital Sea
T: Jemma Daley
2
Tagovailoa
T: Jedda Cutlack
3
Sirius Sandy
T: Darren Johnstone
3
3

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 7:22 pm

JACK GLASS MEMORIAL

1
Swish
T: Jedda Cutlack
2
Zipping Tedesco
T: Conrad Buhner
3
Witty Wendy
T: Raymond Burman
4
4

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 7:43 pm

BRISGREYS.COM

1
Ayrton
T: Jedda Cutlack
2
Where's The Bar
T: Jemma Daley
3
Tiny Encounter
T: Raymond Burman
5
5

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 8:07 pm

BOX 1 PHOTOGRAPHY

1
Ablett Hayze
T: Sandra Hunt
2
Ally Gal
T: Jedda Cutlack
3
Just A Sort
T: Tony Brett
6
6

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 8:28 pm

TAB - VENUE MODE

1
Wendy Rocks
T: John Dart
2
Hidden Agenda
T: Tony Short
3
Days Of Thunder
T: Warren Nicholls
7
7

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 8:52 pm

GET IT GIZMO @ NEWHAVEN STUD

1
On The Off
T: Ricky Hassall
2
Blue Hornet
T: Raymond Burman
3
Sorority
T: Jedda Cutlack
8
8

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 9:13 pm

SENNACHIE @ STUD - STEVE WHITE 5th Grade F

1
Valpolicella
T: Tony Zammit
2
Baccarat Boy
T: Tony Apap
3
Get Carter
T: Grant Franklin
9
9

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 9:37 pm

ORSON ALLEN @ METICULOUS LODGE

1
Bear's Bullet
T: Travis Elson
2
Nando Dreamer
T: Daniel Lee
3
All Natural
T: Selena Zammit
10
10

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 9:56 pm

NEWHAVEN STUD FARM

1
Brimstone
T: Selena Zammit
2
Mr. Springtime
T: Sharyn Jackson
3
Deemed A Liar
T: Tony Zammit
11
11

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 10:17 pm

TWITTER @ BRISGREYS

1
Mahuika
T: Angela Brown
2
Lucky Bundy
T: Dean Clarson
3
Rubys And Pearls
T: John Mccarthy
12
12

Albion Park | Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club | 10:38 pm

SKY RACING

1
Pike
T: Frank Hancock
2
Drink Long Necks
T: John Bradley
3
Hara's Betty
T: Jemma Daley