Mackenna's Magical Golden Easter Egg Sweep

EXPENSIVE purchase Mackenna justified her monster price tag when completing an airborne clean sweep of the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg (520m) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

The budding superstar changed hands for what is believed to be a six-figure sum late in 2023.

The odds-on favourite banked $350,000 for caretaker trainer Michelle Sultana and new owner, Sydney-based George Alvaro, with a dominant front-running display in NSW's most prestigious race.

Mackenna was transferred to Londonderry-based Sultana for her Easter Egg campaign by Victorian mentor Paul Abela, who was trackside to join in the celebrations.

"She's a superstar, she's a dead-set superstar," said an emotional Abela.

"It's just everything. We had a plan and it came off!

"That is a special win from a special dog!"

Mackenna wins the Golden Easter Egg Final leading all the way!@Thedogs_com_au @wentyparkgreys pic.twitter.com/yZ2XuUhBaa

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 20, 2024

"Nothing is bulletproof, but she is! Unbelievable."

Mackenna dominated betting on the Egg decider after near-record heat and semi-final victories, clocking 29.20 and 29.28, respectively.

Drawn in box two, the lightly-raced daughter of 2019 Melbourne Cup hero Whiskey Riot started $1.90 and the race was as good as over when she went straight to the front.

Mackenna led from go to whoa, clocking a scorching 29.33 on a heavy surface, defeating Zipping Megatron ($6.50) by 1.25 lengths, with Ferness ($12) third.

Her time was under a length outside the 29.27 race record set by Western Australian Tommy Shelby in 2021.

After guiding the Victorian visitor to Group 1 glory on one of greyhound racing's greatest stages, Michelle Sultana felt a mix of jubilation and relief.

"I can't believe she's done it now. It's just so good," she said.

"I know the track is really heavy tonight and I knew the other dogs would be coming up behind her, so she needed to keep the lead and she did."

It was Mackenna's 12th win from 17 starts and she remains unbeaten in four assignments for her new connections.

Mackenna joins a star-studded honour roll, sitting alongside all-time greats of the sport Rapid Journey, Brett Lee, Fernando Bale and She's A Pearl, with her best perhaps yet to come.

The other showpiece event on Easter Egg night saw reigning NSW Greyhound of The Year Palawa King secure his first home state G1 trophy when racing away with the Association Cup Final (720m).

The trademark strong-finishing 42.06 victory was a fifth G1 for Palawa King, trained by Jack Smith at Forbes, with his other four titles coming interstate.

Palawa King ($2.60), a son of Smith's former superstar Feral Franky, defeated Canya Amy ($4.40) by two lengths, with favourite Valpolicella ($2.40) third.

It was Palawa King's 27^th win from 63 starts, with the $75,000 winner's purse seeing the barnstorming stayer crack $900,000 in earnings.

"That's one in NSW now, so that might keep you quiet!" Smith quipped to The Dogs.

"We're just so lucky to have him. 

"Here we are with a dog that's won close to a million bucks now. It's ridiculous."

The other feature events on Easter Egg night were won by:

Group 3 The Ambrosoli (520m) – Shima Current (Tom Dailly)

Listed Ultra Sense Final (520m) – Au Contraire (Sam Sultana)

GRNSW Masters Final (520m) – Father Rick (Ray Webster)