When Sandro Bechini walked into Harold Park for the first time in 1969, that “mesmerised” eight-year-old could never have imagined he'd one day win a greyhound race worth half a million dollars.
But fast forward more than five decades, and with the help of trainer and good friend Tony Zammit, Bechini’s beautifully named Valpolicella ran her rivals into the ground to claim the world’s richest staying race - the Ladbrokes 715.
“I never would have believed it in my life,” an excited Bechini said following the record-breaking victory on Friday night at The Gardens.
Valpolicella is closing in on becoming just the 15th greyhound in history to earn a million dollars in prizemoney
“Not when I started training and I was going to Moss Vale to win $30 maidens, I couldn’t believe I could win a half a million-dollar race anywhere.”
“It just goes to another level to win a race like this, of this magnitude. It’s not officially a Group 1 but it’s going to be one of the greatest races on the calendar in years to come and to be a part of it is mind boggling at the end of the day.”
Valpolicella (Box 1) started a warm favourite for the third edition of the rich feature but with the early speed set to come from greyhounds drawn to the outside of the track, many predicted she would have to come from behind to claim her biggest ever race win.
But that idea was soon scrapped as the daughter of Shima Shine flew the lids and led the field at the first corner.
The Group 1 winner burning the candle at both ends to demolish a quality field, stopping the clock in a new track record time of 41.23 to beat home Ritza Piper (6.5 lengths) and the fast finishing CANYA AMY (8.25 lengths).
The nature of the win certainly a welcome surprise for connections.
“I couldn’t believe it, I really couldn’t. I woke up at 2am in the morning and I was trying to get back to sleep, and I woke up five times and I’ve been running the scenarios of the race in my head and none of them were her leading,” a stunned Bechini added.
“She’s got just got so much stamina as well at the end of her races, it’s almost impossible to believe she actually could be getting better to be honest.”
Tony Zammit echoing the thoughts of Bechini and the hundreds of happy punters on hand to witness one of the best performances seen at the Steel City circuit.
“It’s unbelievable to see her begin like she did tonight. For being in a late race, I was amazed how relaxed she was. It must be the Gardens, she loves The Gardens, she’s absolutely flown the lids which is something she doesn’t normally do,” a proud Zammit said.
“I thought, “What’s gone on here? I hope she’s got it at the other end if she’s using it up early”, that’s what you’re sort of thinking…but the way she’s done it, breaking the record, she’s done it at both ends, that’s a great achievement for her.”
Tony Zammit (right) is the older brother of Mick Zammit who claimed the 2023 Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase with Jay Is Jay
The 68-year-old Queenslander topping off an incredible 18-month period for Valpolicella who has now won 26 races, a Group 1 Zoom Top, the Ladbrokes 715 and more than $934,000 in prizemoney.
“This is the highlight of my career and my family, my wife and my daughters. We all chip in, my daughters are doing the dogs while I’m here tonight, its great for them,” Zammit added.
“And I’m real happy for Sandro Bechini and his family. He’s been involved in the game for forty years. Everybody knows him, I can’t believe how many people pat Sandro on the back when we go to the race track. For him to have bred the bitch, it’s a great thrill for him as well.”
The Hall Of Famer suggesting Valpolicella may the greatest stayer he’s ever put the collar and lead on.
“She’s right up there, probably surpasses Trojan Tears now. When she begun like that tonight, that really makes her the cream of the cake for stayers for me. One of my greatest joys in racing greyhounds has been training stayers and that just tops off my career now,” he said.
Bechini elated with the training performance of Zammit and thankful he received some sage advice when choosing Valpolicella’s mentor.
“A friend of mine recommended Tony to me, I didn’t actually know him at the time...he’s always spoken very highly of Tony and after she broke in, I said give him a ring because she looked pretty strong…he basically said “I’ll take her in a couple of weeks” and the rest is history,” he said.
