Flying Ricciardo's First Starter To Step Out

IF Sam Sultana has felt pressure in his decades long greyhound training career, it will be nothing compared to what will be weighing on his shoulders come Friday night at Richmond.

That's because Sam will rug up first starter Lady Ricciardo, the very first runner to the track by his former great race dog Flying Ricciardo.

Lady Ricciardo is raced by Sam's daughter Kristy.

FIELDS AND FORM RICHMOND FRIDAY NIGHT

And the 320m maiden at Richmond on Friday night is appropriately named The Flying Ricciardo At Stud Maiden.

“Dad's really happy with the bitch,” said Kristy of Lady Ricciardo.

“But, she is making her race debut and from the four box we cannot be sure what she will do.

“She has the ability to win but she is also improving with every run we give her.”

Oh Ricci, you are SO fine, and coming in at No.5 in our #Top10of2021… the one and only Flying Ricciardo, in his brilliant, awesome, wonderful (to be frank we can't find enough superlatives) win in @ladbrokescomau Golden Easter Egg Heat 8 @WPGrey… #thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/qZ46mcp8zc

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) December 30, 2021

Kristy bought Lady Ricciardo from breeder Andrew Bell as a pup.

“Her mother Irinka Leanne was the very first bitch mated to Flying Ricciardo,” said Kristy.

“I had to have a bitch from the litter.”

Flying Ricciardo (Barcia Bale-Megalodon) retired as the fastest son of Barcia Bale to win at Wentworth Park running a super 29.22 (2nd fastest ever).

From 27 race starts, he was the winner of 22 for stakes of $237,000.

He also ran a TR at Bulli over 340m in 18.91 on debut and his 29.16 victory at The Gardens was just .01 outside the then track record.

Flying Ricciardo won the G1 Dapto Megastar (29.48), G2 Black Top, Gold Muzzle Auction series and was a finalist in the Million Dollar Chase and G3 The Ambrosoli.