Valpolicella Stuns In Record Breaking 715 Romp

THE world's richest staying race might be staged over 715 metres but it was as good as over after two strides at The Gardens on Friday night.

Queensland starlet Valpolicella started a rock solid $2.20 favourite for The Ladbrokes 715 with many expecting the daughter of Shima Shine to charge home from midfield and annex the $500,000-to-the-winner decider.

But the prolific winning stayer had other ideas, beginning beautifully from box one to assume the lead and score in track record breaking fashion, delivering trainer Tony Zammit and owner Sandro Bechini a moment to savour in front of a bumper Newcastle crowd.

"That's just unbelievable – what do you say after that," a stunned Hall of Fame trainer Tony Zammit said directly after the race.

"When I got her out of the kennels I was amazed just how relaxed she was, especially with it being a late race.

"She really just loves The Gardens, that's only the second time she's led like that in her career.

Valpolicella has broken the track record at The Gardens tonight to win ‘The 715' leading all the way in her 41.23 run! ????

@thedogscomau @TheGardensGRNSW pic.twitter.com/8v1iq9z47I

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2024

"I'm totally stunned. And to break the track record like that. You worry she might have spent too much petrol early out in front but she kept going.

"Just amazing. A special night."

In a remarkable set of circumstances, Valpolicella's The 715 victory for Tony Zammit comes just six months after brother Mick and his wife Selena trained Jay Is Jay to victory in the Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park.

In the direct aftermath of Jay Is Jay's MDC triumph, Tony could be seen trackside partaking in the celebrations, but on Friday night at The Gardens the stage was all his, along with owner Sandro Bechini who bred the superstar stayer.

"I'm just so happy for Sandro," Zammit said.

"He's been in the game for 40 years and waiting for a dog like this and now he's got her. The amount of well wishes Sandro gets is unbelievable.

"Everyone is happy for him. He deserves this."

Valpolicella's The 715 heroics takes her record to 26 wins from 48 starts with prize money rapidly closing in on the magical million dollar barrier at $934,985.

And following her sensational deeds in Newcastle, Zammit was prepared to declare in his eyes she's surpassed his former champion stayer Trojan Tears.

"You'd have to say she's passed him now," Zammit said.

"There's just something special about training good stayers that you don't take for granted.

"It goes to another level"

Is Valpolicella's owner Sandro Bechini the happiest man in Newcastle tonight? We think he just might be!#thedogs #greyhoundracing #greyhounds pic.twitter.com/U20WxwdC7e

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) May 3, 2024

"This is the highlight of my career. The wife, my daughters, they've all been a part of this … she is something very, very special."

In an all female trifecta, Ritza Piper ran a sensational race at just her second start in 2024 to finish second while Canya Amy continued her grand form to run third.

The margins were 6 ¾ lengths by 1 ¾ lengths.

Valpolicella's track record time of 41.23 eclipsed the 41.34 Zipping Neutron posted to win the Newcastle Knights Trophy (715m) a race earlier.

Of the beaten brigade, Tasmanian star Raider's Guide finished a gallant fourth after failing to begin from his box eight draw.