Grand Campaigner In Pursuit Of Pink Diamond

IT'S a 10-hour drive from Londonderry to Warragul, but with the lure of a diamond it is one Michelle Sultana is happy to make.

“They can keep the prizemoney, I want the diamond … the pink one,” said Michelle. “I can add it to my collection.”

Sultana heads to Warragul on Friday night with veteran galloper Aston Ulysses for the Pink Diamond Veterans Final (400m) worth $25,000-to-the-winner.

The winner of 35 races and $252,000, he has drawn perfectly in box two.

Sultana is high in praise of the Pink Diamond series.

“They've got nothing like that in New South Wales,” said Michelle. “It's a wonderful series.”

Royally bred Aston Ulysses (Aston Dee Bee-Sweet It Is), bred and raced by Ray Borda, has been with the Sultana kennel since December.

Dominance from Group 1 runner-up

ASTON ULYSSES powered away late at his 81st start to triumph by over seven lengths at @sandowndogs.

He will be a force to be reckoned with during the @sportsbetcomau #DreamChasers Festival.#GreyhoundRacing #PremierRacing pic.twitter.com/xAhj3G2fOr

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) October 13, 2022

“He came north for the Masters races and we have sparingly raced him,” said Michelle. “But, he would run every single day if he could.

“His run at Shepparton was fantastic. He slipped coming out of the boxes but rattled home for second.

“I have never been to Warragul myself, and neither has the dog.

“But, the one has good early pace and we are confident it will give us a good run into the race.”

From 11 starts with the Sultana kennel, Aston Ulysses has won seven and won in a flying 29.44 at Wentworth Park in April.

“He was on the list for the State Of Origin to go to Albion Park, but we thought this was a better option,” said Michelle.

FIELDS AND FORM WARRAGUL FRIDAY

“I've got a white diamond, but I'd like that pink one to go with it.

“Ray was very happy for us to head back to Victoria with him.”

While the trip to Warragul for Sultana is 10 hours, Cape Clear trainer Gary Peach will have “only” three hour with his kennel stars, littermates Silver Brute and Action Girl (Aston Dee Bee-Weeping Lass).

They have drawn in the three and four respectively in the final of the Pink Diamond Champion Short Course (400m) with a $75,000 to the winner pay day on offer.

The pair have been good to Gary … so good!

Silver Brute is the defending Pink Diamond Short Course champ. His 40 wins from 63 starts and $207,000 in stakes is testament to just how good he is.

His sister, Action Girl, a Group 3 Healesville Cup finalist, has won 36 from 57 and earned $153,000.

They go into the rich final coming off wins at Ballarat and Geelong respectively.