Anthony Azzopardi is already targeting more Group success for Uno Suzie after her superb victory in the Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Black Top (515m).
Uno Suzie produced a commanding performance to win the $36,000-to-the-winner decider at Unibet Gardens on Friday night.
Jumping strongly from box six, the $9.20 shot led throughout and held off fast-finishing Opus Forte to win by just under a length.
Azzopardi (pictured at the post-race presentation) is now aiming Uno Suzie for this Sunday’s Group 3 Canberra Cup (530m) heats and believes she is a strong contender for the $25,000 top prize.
“Canberra is her home track,” he said.
“She’s had a lot of trials there and certainly knows the place. I think she will be hard to beat.
“If she gets through that then I may look at the (Group 3) Casino Cup after that too. She’s come into form with all these big races coming up.”
Uno Suzie had been an impressive second-fastest qualifier in the previous week’s heats, but with a modest record from box six was only on the fifth line of betting.
The victory extended her record to 18 triumphs and 19 minor placings from 49 starts and also secured Uno Suzie a first career Group title.
It also provided a perfect tonic for Azzopardi, who was forced to scratch injured NSW champion Magic Earner from the Group 1 National Distance Championship a week earlier.
“That was gut-wrenching,” he said. “It does make this a bit sweeter.
“Uno Suzie’s not a hard railer, so that draw was perfect for her.
“She’s only tiny and cannot take too many bumps, but I knew if she nailed the start she’d be okay.”
Azzopardi credited a recent trip to Victoria as the catalyst for Uno Suzie’s Group-winning form.
She scored two wins and two minor placings in six races at different Victorian tracks before returning interstate.
“I take my greyhounds down to Melbourne a couple of times a year,” Azzopardi said. “They seem to come back different greyhounds.
“She had got bit stale at Wentworth Park, so I took her down to Victoria.
“It has ignited her.”
The Luke Azzopardi-trained Opus Forte continued his impressive year to finish runner-up in the Black Top, while La Grand Logie also produced a strong run to finish third for Jeff Eaton.
Smart Missile was the $2.30 favourite after his track record performance the previous week, but finished fourth after missing the start.
In the night’s other action, Brad Hill Billy claimed the Macca Stakes Final (515m) with a wonderful come-from-behind victory.
Ray Smith’s in-form greyhound trailed by several lengths at the halfway mark but veered wide down the home straight to win brilliantly in 29.82.
