Azzopardi Tipping Big Future For Diamond Ability

PREMIER trainer Anthony Azzopardi is raving about the Pink Diamond series just underway in Victoria and that is to be expected after winning two heats with littermates at Shepparton on Monday night. 

Diamond Ability (Raw Ability-Anastasia) ran 21.81 to win a heat of the 385m maiden series, while her litter brother Untapped Ability ran 25.23 in a 450 metre maiden heat.

They were part of a winning treble for Azzopardi who also won with the very promising Substantial in 25.10.

Swift Ability, a litter brother to Diamond Ability and Untapped Ability, also won a Pink Diamond maiden heat at Ballarat over 450m on Saturday.

His litter sister Endless Ability was about to lead in her heat on Saturday night but was interfered with.

“What a fabulous series the Pink Diamond is,” Azzopardi said.

“I can see it developing into something that will continue to grown in stature and importance.”

Azzopardi continues to rave about the stud potential of his dog Raw Ability also.

“Yes, I am biased,” he said.

“But I know the ability this litter has. And Raw Ability litters from some really great race and broodbitches are about 12 months old now so the best is yet to come.”

He said the four pups from the Anastasia litter have all been to Sandown Park and The Meadows for box to box trials.

“Diamond Ability will be absolutely something when she goes to the tight tracks,” he said.

“The big one-turn tracks are not really the best for her because she is only little.

“But she is the best of these and everyone will see that when she gets to Sandown and The Meadows later on.”

Swift Ability has drawn box six in his Pink Diamond semi-final at Ballarat on Thursday, while Untapped Ability is drawn three and Diamond Ability has seven in their semi-finals at Shepparton on Friday night.

“We purposely put the bitches in the shorter heats at Ballarat and Shepparton to keep them away from the dogs in the longer heats,” said Azzopardi.

A whopping $830,000 in prizemoney is on offer during the Pink Diamond which will see 12 events staged over a variety of distances catering for greyhounds of all grades.

The races are eligible to Victorian bred greyhounds only with the prizemoney split between, trainer, owner and breeder.