For the first time since its inception, the Ladbrokes 715 trophy could be headed interstate following the heats of the world’s richest distance race at The Gardens on Friday night.
Queensland-trained Valpolicella and Tasmanian star Raider’s Guide set the standard in the heats with dominant victories.
But the big surprise came when 2022 NSW Greyhound of the Year and five-time Group 1 winner Palawa King failed to make the $500,000 to the winner final.
The Jack Smith-trained superstar appeared to be checked and dragged down on the home turn the first time and from that moment he was unable to chase the tenacious way he normally does, finishing unplaced in his heat.
Valpolicella, third in last week’s Group 1 Association Cup behind Palawa King, was dominant coming from back in the field to explode to the front up the back and race away to score in 41.51s, having 10 lengths to spare over runner-up from Sin Rap Explode who also makes it into the final.
Raider’s Guide looked a little foreign to The Gardens at times but still led all the way to clock 41.52s, with Ritza Piper running home well to grab second and a final berth, three lengths away.
Minnie Finn, who won the 2023 Ladbrokes 715 with Zipping Orlando, has the chance to go back to back with Might Have Been winning his heat from Victorian Redeemer Blue in 41.81s.
And David Smith, who trained one of the best stayers of her time Super Estrella only to see her fall in the heats of the inaugural 715 in 2022, has real chance in the final with impressive heat winner Canya Amy who he is looking after for Victorian trainer Matt Lanigan. She clocked 41.64s in defeating Like Wildfire by 6¾ lengths.
“I was really impressed with that because she came out good, but she got a little bit of interference going into the first corner,” Valpolicella’s trainer Tony Zammit said. “And I think it sort of took a little bit of the gloss off her early, but when she got into the home straight the first time and she saw a bit of daylight, she really started to wind up and she just kept winding and winding and winding and for her to show that stamina for so long, it was a great effort.
“When I trialled her here she went 41.58s and she seemed to handle the track really well. I think the big sweeping bends is probably more of a bonus to dogs that come from behind because they seem to spread out. Wentworth Park has a bit tighter bends and Albion Park too but here because the corners are a bit bigger, it seems to suit dogs that come from behind.
“It's a dream come true to have a dog like her in a race like this. I'm so happy for Sandro (Bechini) the owner. This is probably the first real good dog he's ever had. He's been in the game for 40 years and to have one for him in the final is a great buzz for me and my wife and for Sandro.”
Carol Martin, daughter of trainer Gary Fahey, explained it has been hard finding races for Group 1 winner Raider’s Guide in Tasmania but they have kept the dog considered the best of Gary’s career, fit and ready and he showed his class in winning his heat impressively.
“Since his win in Melbourne 10 weeks ago in the Rookie Rebel he’s only had one start which was last week in Tassie,” she said. “It's been almost impossible to get the dog a start. It’s just extremely hard, you can’t get group dogs down there in race.
“Dad’s had a couple of really good dogs in past and he’s been in it for 50 years, but this dog would be the best dog he’s had in his whole career.”
Asked what she would do with $500,000, Carol said: “Take people out for a dinner to celebrate to start with, and maybe get the upgrade on the way home.”
Minnie Finn admitted she was a bit shocked with the win of Might Have Been who led from the first turn in a heat all expected Palawa King to dominate.
“I’m a bit shocked. I brought him up on Monday and gave him a box to box – 600m - and he went really well. It was his first 700 tonight but I thought if he could run it out, he was a chance and he did.
“That was a big night. I’ll never forget that night,” she said of last year’s 715 Final. “It’s good to be in it again. All the hard work is paying off and you can’t win it sitting at home in the kennel.”
David Smith was “ecstatic” with the run of Canya Amy who impressed last week with a second in the Association Cup behind Palawa King.
“She went terrific. She had a real go early and I’m really proud of her,” he said.
“She is strong enough anyway, and look at the way she found the line. She’s still learning how to handle herself in a field and run around and she’s just getting better every week.
“As soon as I trialled her I knew she was something a little bit special.”
