Yuko's Group Triumph In Backyard All Along

TRAINER Sam Sultana has travelled far and wide in pursuit of a breakthrough group race victory for his star race bitch Yuko Girl.

And as luck would have it, it was in his backyard all along, with Yuko Girl leading all-the-way to annex Friday night's Group 2 Ladbrokes Richmond Oaks Final (520m).

Leading into the $40,000-to-the-winner finale, Yuko Girl, a daughter of Zambora Brockie, trained a hop, skip and a jump away from Richmond, had contested no less than 11 group and listed finals without victory.

It had Sultana and owner Nick De La Roche questioning whether a big race victory was on the horizon for the 54-start veteran, closing in on three years of age and entering the latter stages of her career.

Sam Sultana's Yuko Girl has scored a well-deserved win in the G2 @ladbrokescomau @richmond_greys Oaks tonight!

She led all the way to hold off the fast-finishing Wyndra All Class and Xoie Bale, to win in 29.57.

Full Results: https://t.co/YLYEDMFbQM#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/O3Jmb68sLk

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 3, 2023

But one of racing's great anomalies has now been rectified with Yuko Girl now a deserved group race winner following her Oaks heroics on Friday night, much to the delight of proud owner-breeder Nick De La Roche.

"I only booked a flight up from Victoria at lunchtime and I'm really glad I did – what a night," De La Roche said.

"I was at home and thinking if she happened to win I'd be kicking myself if I wasn't there so I jumped on a flight and got there.

"She really did deserve a big one and Sam has done a great job with her. I watched the race with Sam's daughters Kristy and Michelle and I think they cheered louder than me.

"It was a memorable night and who knows, now she's won one, the second one might come a little quicker. But whatever happens when she's finished she's going to make a great mum.

"All very exciting. It's on to the Golden Easter Egg now.”

In a star-studded Oaks finale, Yuko Girl set up victory with a clean getaway, shooting straight to the front from box four.

From there she always looked to have the race safely in her keeping, scoring by 2 ½ lengths over National Futurity winner Wyndra All Class with Victorian Xoie Bale in third another neck away.

The winning time was 29.57 – Yuko Girl extending her career record to 20 wins from 54 starts with stakes of $176,453.

Meanwhile, the Group 2 Richmond Derby (520m) saw Zipping Novak produce a powerhouse display to score in a slick 29.32.

Zipping Novak has gone close to the track record in his commanding G2 @ladbrokescomau @richmond_greys Derby win tonight, clocking a PB of 29.32 in his victory over Trunkey Bill and Came And Went!

Full Results: https://t.co/RHrBehZda9#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/q7ovdh9p78

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 3, 2023

The Jason Magri-trained son of Zulu Zeus has been knocking on the door for another group race win following placings in 2023 in both the Gosford Cup and Bulli Cup.

Hugely talented, Zipping Novak launched his career at Easter time last year with victory in the Group 3 Magic Maiden, and this year it will be a crack at the Golden Easter Egg which is firmly on the agenda.

Second in the Derby was Trunkey Bill while fastest qualifier Came And Went filled third.