Owner Enjoying One Hell Of A Ride With Valpolicella

WESTERN Sydney businessman Sandro Bechini is enjoying the ride of owning the best greyhound he's raced, Valpolicella.

The Tony Zammit-trained chaser makes the trip from Queensland to Wentworth Park on Saturday night to run in the $25,000-to-the-winner Christmas Cheer (720m).

Bechini, 62, is a veteran of the sport, racing dogs for the best past of the past 40 years and he says for that reason, the deeds of Valpolicella brings him plenty of satisfaction.

FIELDS AND FORM FOR WENTWORTH PARK ON SATURDAY NIGHT

"I've got a property at Horsley Park now with a couple of broodbitches at home and a breed a few litters," Bechini said.

"I take it seriously but I'm really only a hobby breeder.

"Saldana, Valpolicella's mother, was probably the best one I had for a while until this one came along."

Valpolicella was the result of a Shima Shine mating to Saldana and the black bitch has won 16 of her 33 starts for earnings is just under $140,000.

"She's definitely the best that I've had," Bechini said. "I've never had a Group performer like her.

"Valpolicella, as far as the breeding is concerned, she's the pinnacle of what I want to breed.

"A top-class stayer. That's what I've always wanted.

"Doing it all myself is very satisfying."

Valpolicella has drawn box one for Saturday night's Group 3 free-for-all and despite being a dog that likes to use a bit of the track, Bechini believes should might be well served by her inside draw on Saturday night.

"Generally she begins well but lacks a bit of pace and likes to get to the middle of the track but the inside might pan out all right on Saturday night," he said.

"Ritza Piper (2) has pace, Punter's Bandit (3) is likely to go forward and attack her then you have Zipping Vanessa (8) and she is pretty fresh.

"They might all go hell for leather and Punter's Bandit and Zipping Vanessa haven't been over the 700m trip for a few weeks.

"I reckon if she's close enough down the back, she's a good chance of running them down."