Tzouvelis Honoured To Win First Jack Sommerville

SPRINT star Valhalla will be aimed at the upcoming Winter Carnival at Albion Park “with a proper preparation”.

Valhalla (Orson Allen-Femme Folle) added to his ever-flourishing career record when he won the Jack Sommerville Northern Rivers Cup (450m) at Grafton on Saturday night.

The $1.70 favourite, he downed Albert's Memory by two and a quarter lengths with Isurava in third in a fast 25.19.

Trainer Tom Tzouvelis said he would sit down this week and map out a Winter Carnical program for the straight track and one-turn star.

The Cup win was Valhalla's 17th from his past 20 starts. He has now started 46 times for 25 wins, 11 placings and stakes of $248,000.

“He ran third in a heat of the Gold Ticket at Albion Park some months ago and finished third to Morton,” said Tom.

“He went into the race off one 395 metre trial and a post to post.

“It really wasn't enough but he still ran third to a great dog like Morton.

“This time we will make sure he has had the right prep.”

Valhalla's Cup win added to his victories in the Straight Track Championship[, the Capalaba Cup and Anniversary Cup.

“It's hard to look forward with him,” said Tom.

“He's still eligible for fifth grades everywhere he goes so he's got his grades to win at Albion Park.

He's not three until next month.

“He goes just as good on the circle as he does on the straight but circumstances always seemed to have him program right for Capalaba.

“But, I'm also well aware the Origin straight races will be coming up soon as well.”

Jack Sommerville was an icon in the Northern Rivers, the on-track vet for several decades at Grafton, Casino, Lismore and at Tweed Heads, as well as servicing greyhound participants right across the Northern Rivers and up to the Queensland border. 

Jack passed away in January this year and the event was the collaboration of the Tweed Heads Coursing Club (who sponsor the series), and the Casino and Grafton clubs which both ran heats leading into Saturday night's final.

"When Tweed Heads announced they were going to run the race at Grafton, and it was named after Jack, I wanted to make sure we tried to have some runners in the race. You always hope you win it, but Jack was such a great vet and a great person,” Tzouvelis added.

"I remember the days going to the Tweed Heads when I first started training and Jack was there and he worked at all the tracks, Tweed, Casino, Lismore and Grafton, and he was just one of those fellas who treated everyone the same. He was a gentleman and one of the nicest people you would meet on the track, and Carol went with him everywhere and she was the same.

"The pair of them would treat everyone like they were their best friends.

"As people know nowadays with vets they can be expensive and Jack was always mindful of looking after people. They had to run a business and make money but they never overcharged and looked after people especially people down in the Northern Rivers. They would go to their property and made life so easy for a lot of people in that area.

"I wanted to make sure that we were there because I hadn't seen Carol for a little while and it was great seeing her and the family last night at the track.

"And it was an honour winning the race named in Jack's honour."