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Valhalla a stud option as kennelmate races to Cup win

8 October 2024

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Trainer Tom Tzouvelis (left) speaking at an awards function.

By Pat McLeod

Straight track hero Valhalla will be tested at stud as he recovers from what looms as a career-ending injury.

One of Queensland’s best-ever straight track campaigners tore a hip support after a sensational start to Sunday’s Group 2 Capalaba Cup.

The $1.45 favourite drifted back in the field finishing sixth behind kennelmate Simply Express, who scored by a length and a half over Bad Boy Wilson (trained by Dyllan Heddles), with Man Of Zeal (Glen Goodwin) a further length away third.

The winning time was a brisk 19.47 seconds, a new personal best for the winner.

Although obviously disappointed at the injury to his kennel star, Tzouvelis focused on the exceptional exploits of Valhalla and his potential as a stud dog.

“First of all, he (Valhalla) will be given every chance to return to the track,” Tzouvelis said.

“He has torn his hip support, which means he will be out for about three months, which will mean he will be a fair age by then. While he is out we will register him at stud and get the DNA and fertility tests done while he is recovering.

“If he doesn't come back, well he doesn't owe us anything. He has been one of those dogs that you always hope you get in your kennel. The injury is a shame because he was racing so well.

Races

7
7

Capalaba | Capalaba Greyhound Racing Club | 1:07 PM

CON SCIACCA TAB Capalaba Cup F

“We will give him every opportunity to come back, but if he is not 100 per cent then he won’t be racing again.

“He is too good a dog to be an also-ran. As a stud dog, I am not sure if anyone will use him, but we certainly will."

Tzouvelis said Valhalla was the fastest dog that he has have ever had on the grass track. 

“There are not many dogs in a 300 metre race that can consistently come out last and yet consistently win," Tzouvelis said. 

“His record is amazing in that sense.”

In fact, Valhalla’s record to date is 63 starts for 35 wins and 16 placings and a prize money haul of $302,960.

His statistics at Capalaba are phenomenal – 39 starts for 30 wins and seven placings.

He was the reigning Capalaba Cup champion.

Of course it was a bittersweet Capalaba Cup result for Tzouvelis, with wife Beata receiving a belated birthday present when Simply Express ($51) sprung a surprise victory.

“It was Beata’s birthday on the Saturday and she was track side on Sunday to handle Simply Express,” Tzouvelis explained.

“He is her favourite and she handles him in races whenever she is available.

Simply Express
Valhalla
Red Ranger
Haggler

“So, the win, although unexpected, was a big thrill and a belated present for Beata.”

Tzouvelis was not totally surprised with Simply Express’ win.

“Simply Express won his first five at this track and I thought, ‘Wow, we have another one that is going really well’,” Tzouvelis said.

“Then he lost his way a little bit and just wasn't going to the next level like we thought he would.

“Then he had a surgery, a testicle removed, about two months ago. After the surgery, it has been the making of him. He has just gone better and better each week.

“That was clearly his best time. Hopefully he is ready to go back to some circle racing and we will see what his limit is there.”

NSW Northern Rivers trainer Stephen Keep took out the Cup Consolation with One More Beer, a one and a quarter length winner over Red Ranger (Greg Stella) and Rushforth Ally (Des Winters) in 19.48 seconds

It was a consolation in more ways than one with Keep missing his place in the Cup Final when his All Lies Ahead was a mid-week scratching after a training injury.

In the other feature on the day, Hook Me (Casey Dargusch) won the Bob Vernon Memorial Maiden Final. 

Second place went to Judith Gordon’s Salvatore and third was Haggler (Michael Lalicz).

Races

4
4

Capalaba | Capalaba Greyhound Racing Club | 12:12 PM

Bob Vernon Memorial F