Sam Sultana has had a long career in greyhound racing, and enjoyed plenty of success along the way, most recently being involved with his daughter Kristy’s greyhound, 2020 Greyhound of the Year, Flying Ricciardo.
But nobody would begrudge Sam the victory in the Group 2 Richmond Oaks final with his speedy bitch Yuko Girl.
If ever a greyhound deserved a big race victory it was Yuko Girl and her time arrived on Friday night as she led all the way to take out the time-honoured feature in 29.57s.
Yuko Girl’s resume is littered with feature race appearances. She has been a finalist in the 2022 Group 1 National Futurity, the 2022 Group 1 Peter Mosman Opal, the Group 2 Ipswich Gold Cup, the Group 2 Black Top, and the Group 3 Bathurst Gold Cup.
She was also third in the Group 1 Dapto Megastar, second in the Group 3 New Sensation, runner-up in the Group 3 Goulburn Cup, runner-up in the Group 3 Collerson, second in the Gosford Million Dollar Chase Regional Final, and fourth in last year’s Group 2 Richmond Oaks.
Finally … her time arrived at Richmond with Group Glory in the Oaks.
“Yes I am very proud, just to win it at my local track makes it even better,” Sam said. “It’s really satisfying to get this, especially as the owner flew from Melbourne today for this. This is really excellent.”
On the line Yuko Girl had 2¾ lengths to spare over 2023 National Futurity winner Wyndra All Class with Victorian Xoie Bale a ½ head away in third.
The night’s other feature the Group 2 Richmond Derby went to the Jason Magri-trained ZIPPING Novak.
Ever since his early days ZIPPING Novak has shown abundant ability. He won his heat and semi-final of the Magic Maiden series last year, before winning the final of that event on Golden Easter Egg night at Wentworth Park. He clocked 29.65s that night, the fastest time recorded on the night, and a 0.8s or a length faster than the Golden Easter Egg winner, none other than She’s A Pearl.
Success has continued to some extent since then, and in the past two months he has stepped up to Group racing finishing third behind Punter’s Bandit in the Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup, then second to Panadero Warrior in last month’s Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup.
“It’s good to get one tonight,” trainer Jason Magri said. “He’s been nearly free for all his whole career and was third in the Gosford Cup and second in the Bulli Cup, so it’s good to finally get one.
“When he’s on the lure he can really run and he’s done everything right tonight.”
Magri said the next target for ZIPPING Novak will be the upcoming heats of the Golden Easter Egg.
“That’s his next mission. I’ll give him a week or two off and then go for that.”
Anthony Godden’s Trunkey Bill was gallant in second 4¾ lengths back with a further 3½ lengths to Came And Went in third.
ZIPPING Novak’s winning time of 29.32s was just 0.08s or a length outside the track record set by Good Odds Cash when she won last year’s Richmond Oaks final.
