Valpolicella will represent Queensland in Saturday night's National Distance Championship final at Adelaide's Angle Park but her Sydney connection gives NSW a great "second stringer'' to our State Championship winner Ritza Piper.
Valpolicella, who set a new track record winning The 715 at The Gardens earlier this year, is trained in Queensland by Tony Zammit but is owned and was bred by Sydney accountant Sandro Bechini.
After she clocked 42.97 in a trial over the Angle Park 731m course on Thursday night, owner Sandro Bechini said: "Tony and I were hoping she would break 43sec so we are satisfied with that trial.
"Valpolicella did not begin as well as she can and looked a bit unsure of herself as she went around the corners so we are pretty certain the run will do her the world of good.''
Part-owner Gordon Sciberras revealed: "When he made the pace before finishing second, beaten a half-length by Boston Banner at Wentworth Park on July 20, I was disappointed.
"I know the winner clocked a slick 29.50 but Foreign Capital should not have been run down and the next morning he was completely lame.
"He looks like he will be out of action as long as three months.''
DAINTREE IDOL's exciting career has come to a premature end due to a spider bite.
With seven wins and eight placings from only 25 starts, DAINTREE IDOL was the best greyhound experienced western districts trainer Trevor Robinson has prepared.
DAINTREE IDOL after a Wenty Park win earlier this year
"I think it could have been a white-tailed spider which bit her because the skin peeled from her leg,'' Robinson said.
"The skin is growing back but she has to hop to get around and my veterinary surgeon said she will need to have part of the leg amputated.
"But he assured me that won't prevent her from becoming a mother so when she is fully recovered she will be off to the breeding barn.''
