Valpolicella Resumes With Slick Gardens Trial

STAR stayer Valpolicella trialled impressively over 600 metres at The Gardens on Friday night in her comeback to the track after a short spell with ‘The 715' part of a series of glamour races on the horizon.

Valpolicella went 34.13 with a run home of 12.10. The track record is held by Like Wildfire at 33.88 which ran home on that occasion in 12.18.

Trainer Tony Zammit said before the trial the daughter of Shima Shine and Saldana is not ready for a 700m race yet, but will be after The Gardens trial.

“She needs a look at The Gardens for The 715 late in April,” said Zammit.

“Depending on how she goes, she will then come back to race the following two weeks over 700m at Albion Park.

“That will lead her into the (Group 1) Association Cup  at Wentworth Park during the Easter Egg carnival.”

The Association Cup heats will be run on April 6 with the $75,000-to-the-winner final on April 13.

"Over time, she's developed a bit more track sense… that's what makes them a good dog"

We caught up with Tony Zammit, trainer of Valpolicella who won the Summer Distance Plate Final at @wentyparkgreys tonight – and we also spoke to owner Sandro Bechini, who made sure his… pic.twitter.com/1CEBu9YdVB

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) January 20, 2024

The 715 heats at The Gardens will be run on April 28 with the $500,000-to-the-winner final on May 4.

“I didn't stop working her but just didn't want to keep racing her knowing all these big races are coming up in the next few months,” said Tony.

Those races include the Group 1 Sandown Cup on May 16 and 24, and then into the Albion Park Winter Carnival in June.

Valpolicella has not started since winning the G1 Zoom Top at The Meadows on February 10.

That followed her win in the G1 Garrards Gold Cup at Albion Park a week before.

Zammit said the bitch is well but needed The Gardens trial and a few races to bring her right back to her top.