Azzopardi Eyes Triumphant Richmond Homecoming

PREMIER Victorian trainer Anthony Azzopardi will be eyeing off a homecoming to remember when Adhana Rico tackles Friday night's Group 2 Ladbrokes Richmond Derby (520m).

Before making the bold decision to relocate from NSW to Victoria in 2016 – since annexing races the ilk of the Melbourne and Australian Cup – Azzopardi called Londonderry home, forging a training career that now sees him perched with the sport's elite.

FIELDS AND FORM RICHMOND FRIDAY NIGHT

And while Adhana Rico booked his Derby place in far from ideal circumstances, elevated into the field following the injury to heat winner Gatlin, Azzopardi has declared the son of Fernando Bale a live chance of delivering him a second Richmond Derby, after Nangar Flame's epic win back in 2017.

"He (Adhana Rico) had to draw a box and from the two in the final he's right in it," Azzopardi said.

He might have been the outsider of the field but it didn't stop Rockstar Heeney flying through the air like his AFL namesake to claim the opening heat of the @ladbrokescomau G2 Richmond Derby.

Full Results: https://t.co/KjjzEwjFWq#thedogs #GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/xG4uljBoPZ

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) February 24, 2023

"It's not the way you want to make a final like this but it wasn't all smooth sailing with the clock not working in his heat so we couldn't be absolutely sure what time he ran anyway.

"But we are there now and he's fit and sound so I give him a big chance.

"He has a little flat spot not after box rise but the way they're drawn he should get to the fence and be right in it. He's very strong."

Setting the pace for Friday night's Richmond Derby is high flying sprinter Came And Went which set the track alight with a polished 29.34 heat display.

But a box seven draw in the decider has slightly dampened the chances of the Darren Sultana-trained charge, owned by former rugby league star Terry Hill.

"It looks a pretty open race the way it's panned out with the box draw," Azzopardi added.

"The way the track is these days I think the inside is a big advantage which is why the box draw was so important.

"I used to love the old track and the way it was with the 535 metres. For me it was the best track in the country. I don't know why they changed it to be honest!"

Equal favourites for Friday night's Derby blockbuster is Zipping Novak and Came And Went at $3.10 ahead of Adhana Rico at $4.

The remainder of the field is at double figure odds.

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Group 2 Richmond Derby – 520m

1. Trunkey Bill – $10

2. Adhana Rico – $4

3. Zipping Novak – $3.10

4. Rockstar Heeney – 12

5. Nangar Archie – $11

6. Oreo Ethics – $51

7. Came And Went – $3.10

8. Can't Handle It – $12

9. On The Bus – $51

10. Bell Toller – $51