Staying Champ Valpolicella On Road to Recovery

CHAMPION stayer Valpolicella, Greyhound of the Year in 2024 in both Queensland and NSW, has made a perfect recovery from a broken leg.

The daughter of Shima Shine and Saldana broke her near side front leg at Albion Park back on February 20.

Grave fears were held that she might have to lose the leg.

But, breeder and owner Sandro Bechini reports the care and attention of Alecia Evans and the staff at Queensland Vet Services at North Lakes has seen the bitch make a full recovery.

"So far so good," Bechini said.

"She has another x-ray of the leg on July 18 and another in August and, all going well, she can come home here after that."

Valpolicella raced 80 times for 40 wins and 25 placings earning $1.14 million.

She won the G1 Gold Cup at Albion Park, the G1 Zoom Top at The Meadows, the G2 Summer Distance Plate, the G3 Xmas Cheer and her crowning glory a track record when winning The 715 at The Gardens.

She was also third in the G1 Association Cup and G1 Sandown Cup and made the final of five other Group 1s.

Trained by Tony Zammit throughout her race career, the bitch spent months at the QVS clinic at North Lakes and underwent a number of surgeries.

She had a frame on the leg to hold it in place.

"The entire thing cost $20,000," said Bechini. "But, Racing Queensland was very good in helping with some of the cost.

"The utmost care for Valpolicella was always foremost in our thoughts.

"Everything was done to have her right."

Valpolicella even came on season while at the North Lakes Clinic.

"We are expecting her to come on season early next year and she will be mated to Bernardo," Bechini said.

"It goes to show what a remarkable bitch she is to be at the vet clinic but still come on season."