MDC Bound: The Rise and Rise of Yuko Girl

STAR race bitch Yuko Girl will turn two years old on Monday but her charge into the semi-finals of the TAB Million Dollar Chase continues to prove what an outstanding galloper she is.

The daughter of Zambora Brockie and Yuko had not been to Gosford before the MDC regional series but was brilliant in her heat and then led throughout on Tuesday night to win that regional final in 29.22 beating Zipping Lopez and Modern Talking for owner-breeders Nick and Lisa De La Roche and trainer Sam Sultana.

“She got spiked in the Bathurst Cup final and needed some time off,” said Nick.

“It seems to have done her the world of good because she is back better than ever, and beginning fantastic.”

That is evident by her great second to Devine Empress in the Group 3 New Sensation and now her Gosford MDC final win.

It brought her career to 18 starts for 10 wins and four placings for $50,000 in stakes.

Yuko Girl has led all the way to win in the final heat of the New Sensation
at Wentworth Park Greyhounds tonight! She won it in 29.96, with Spring Gonzales in 2nd.

Full results: https://t.co/USSwFeOI35#thedogs #wentypark #greyhoundracing #wentywednesdays pic.twitter.com/6jjsdsee8C

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 30, 2022

“She goes into the semis of the Million Dollar Chase on Friday week and she should be perfect for that,” said Nick.

He was high in praise of the training feat undertaken by  Sam Sultana.

“When she was on her way back from that brief let-up, it was right in the midst of the big wet and the trial tracks were out of operation,” he said. “Sam did a great job to get her fit.”

Yuko Girl has also been a finalist in the Group 1 National Futurity.

“I've looked through the results of past New Sensations and the great dogs to have won it, been placed in it or even a finalist is impressive,” said Nick.

“It augurs well for her future. And, the fact she turns two on Monday, Anzac Day, is something as well.”

Studmaster Nick, of Newhaven Stud, reports star race bitch Pay Call (Moreira-Mrs Thursday), owned by Shakeel Latimer, has just been mated to MDC champ Handsome Prince, also owned by Latimer.

Pay Call won the Group 3 Ladies Bracelet in 29.44 to become the fastest female ever around Wentworth Park before She's A Pearl lowered that time on Wednesday night. She was also third in the Listed Super Sprinters at Albion Park and a finalist in the Group 2 Black Top.

“She was served AI twice a couple of weeks ago,” said Nick. “Handsome Prince is an absolutely beautiful animal and his semen quality is fantastic.

“We are confident she will have a belly full.”