National Temptation Looms For Valpolicella

EXCITING staying prospect Valpolicella could make her long-awaited 710m debut at Albion Park next Thursday night with a “possible” Nationals bid as part of the plan.

Trainer Tony Zammit said this of Valpolicella (Shima Shine-Saldana) after the bitch was impressive wearing down Baccarat Boy to win a 600m 5th Grade final on Thursday night in 34.70.

Zammit resisted stretching Valpolicella to the long distance during the recent Winter Carnival wanting to allow the bitch to become more seasoned before taking a run at 710m.

Tony and wife Maree have been in Cairns for the past 10 days and left the kennel in charge of long-time Queensland training greats Barry and Sharon Morris.

“I will see how she pulls up and gallop her Saturday morning and make a decision about stepping up to 710 metres after that,” said Tony.

This year's National Distance series is changed, and some claim not for the better, with one-off finals.

Which means Zammit could give Valpolicella a 710m debut run next Thursday and then go into the Queensland Distance final the following week.

“I was very happy with her run last night to win,” he said.

“I liked her chance off the eight box but she really pleased me by going to the rail from the home turn to run down Tony Apap's dog on the line.

“It was a very good effort to run that dog down.

“It showed she is maturing in her races.”

Zammit had not given the Nationals great consideration with Valpolicella until now.

“She's still only young,” he said.

“But, going up to the 710 metres distance allows her a run to the first turn to find a forward position.

“I would think, if she does run over 710 metres next week she will have to break 42 seconds.

“Nothing has been running very fast time over the distance of late except John Dart's bitch Wendy Rocks who went 41.63 a few runs back.

“But, she will have to go to Wentworth Park to qualify for the National final.”

The Meadows will host the National finals on August 26 with each worth $85,000.

Valpolicella has now started 19 times for nine wins and eight placings earning $52,000 for breeder-owner Sandro Bechini.