Vassallo Comes Of Age

Around 15 years ago, Wayne Vassallo – then a 15-year-old, Year 10 student – was hell-bent on emulating his idol and mentor, Victoria’s premier greyhound race caller Ron Hawkswell.

The ‘boy and his binoculars’ were a regular sight at Sandown Park’s qualifying trials in the mid-’90s, where Vassallo honed his skills – with an all-consuming passion to one day call a greyhound racing Melbourne Cup.

But just when you could bet London to a brick on that Vassallo would realise his burning ambitions, he had a change of heart.

In the late ’90s, Vassallo swapped the microphone for a lead and collar, and subsequently found his calling in life – as a professional greyhound trainer.

And now Wayne’s world is his oyster!

“I was finding it hard to get anywhere with the greyhound broadcasting and at the end of the day, I felt I’d rather be training greyhounds,” Vassallo said.

Vassallo, 29, served ‘apprenticeships’ with Tom and George Dailly (1998-2000) and Jason Thompson (2001-05) before going out on his own. Not so long ago he returned to train from Thompson’s state-of-the-art training/stud complex, Awesome Lodge, in Pearcedale.

“Basically, I’ve learned the ropes from the Dailly twins and Jason. There is no way known I would have had the opportunity to get the greyhounds I’ve had without their assistance,” Vassallo said.

Early in 2004, Vassallo – a dual Victorian Rookie Trainer of the Year – captured his first Group 1 success with Skipper Rip in the Stayers Cup at The Meadows.

And a little over two years later, he snared his second Group 1 victory when Pure Burst saluted in the Laurels (515m) at Sandown Park.

Roll on a couple of years and Vassallo is hoping Alotta Mojo, on Thursday night, can answer the call by providing him with his second Laurels –and another $50,000 winner’s cheque – in three years.

Vassallo also has Ima Drifter and Prince Noir engaged in the $25,000 to the winner Group 2 McKenna Memorial distance final.

In last week’s Laurels semi-finals, Alotta Mojo set the time standard of 30.17sec and raced into favouritism for the $72,500 Group 1 hawkinsmedia.com.au Laurels Classic after recording the fastest semi final win at Sandown Park tonight.

On a slow track, Alotta Mojo ($3.30F) began quickly from box 5 and was never threatened, leading all the way to win by 3.25 lengths over Special Sign in a best of night 30.17.

Trainer Wayne Vassallo, who won the 2006 Laurels Classic with multiple Group race winner Pure Burst, strengthened his chances of a second Laurels victory when Alotta Mojo drew the cherished inside box.

Less than three lengths separated the four semi-final winners – Hot Puzzle (30.23sec), Hybrid Theory (30.24sec) and Irreplaceable (30.33sec).

Hybrid Theory gave young trainer Chris Darmanin his first Group 1 finalist when she railed through the first turn to win her semi final in 30.24. Hybrid Theory ($1.80) held off a fast finishing Who Told Helen ($14.40) by 2.5 lengths.

Bunyip trainer Paul Anderton’s exciting bitch Hot Puzzle led all the way to win her heat in 30.23. Beginning brilliantly from box 8, Hot Puzzle ($2.90F) crossed the field to lead clearly through the first run and raced away to win by 3.75 lengths in 30.23. Summer Grace ($6.50) battled on strongly to finish second.

In the final semi of the night, New South Wales raider Irreplaceable ($8.40) ran down early leader Miss Jim ($6) to win by 2.5 lengths in 30.33. Pre-post favourite and fastest heat winner Ferly Gain ($1.60F) missed the start and was never a winning chance, finishing a distant seventh.

Here is Thursday nights, $72,500 Group 1 hawkinsmedia.com.au Laurels box draw :

Laurels Final (515m) – Race 8 (9.40pm)
1. Alotta Mojo
2. Who Told Helen
3. Miss Jim
4. Hybrid Theory
5. Hot Puzzle
6. Irreplaceable
7. Special Sign
8. Summer Grace
Reserves:
9. Lady Moscato
10. Classical Doll

Alotta Mojo Winning For Wayne Vassallo In 30.17

Alotta Mojo & Mario Briganti

Hot Puzzle Winning In 30.23 For Paul Anderton

Hot Puzzle

Hybrid Theory Streaks Past The Post In 30.24

Hybrid Theory With Chris Darmanin & Connections

Irreplaceable Wins In 30.33 For Majella Ferguson

Irreplaceable & Handler

Search For All Other Stories & Fields That Mention :
Alotta Mojo, Chris Darmanin, George Dailly, Hot Puzzle, Hybrid Theory, Ima Drifter, Irreplaceable, Jason Thompson, Laurels, McKenna Memorial, Melbourne Cup, Miss Jim, Paul Anderton, Prince Noir, Special Sign, Summer Grace, Tom Dailly, Wayne Vassallo, Who Told Helen

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