After a lengthy spell away from training, Peter Presutto burst back onto the city winners list when Ultimatum brilliantly won at Sandown Park last Thursday night.
Presutto (pictured right with family) began training greyhounds in 1985, and after training ‘a few good ones,’ took some time away from the sport before his cousins encouraged him to get back into it.
“Jason (Thompson) had Ultimatum earlier in his career but wasn’t quite up to the standard so I was lucky enough to get him” said the Beaconsfield based trainer.
“Serge Buccilli is my cousin and he owns this dog with another cousin Bill. He also owns (Group 1 Silver Chief winner) Godsend – he’s put a lot of money into the dogs so it’s great he’s having a bit of success.
“And for me a city winner still feels as good as it used to!”
After winning his heat in 29.75 at Sandown Park on the previous Sunday, Ultimatum overcame a slow start to win the $6260 first prize in 29.64. His winning time compared well with those of the Melbourne Cup Prelude winners on the night, and is encouraging Presutto to aim for bigger things with his chaser.
“We tried to get his confidence up in the bush and then step him up in distance. The Sunday series came up at the right time and he seems to handle the track well.
“We’ll see how he pulls up but if his time stacks up we might target a Melbourne Cup Prelude series.”
While Ultimatum is currently the only race dog in Presutto’s kennel, he is looking forward to racing his two pups that have just broken in.
“I’ve recharged the batteries and have got the bug, so am looking to get back into training properly!” said an excited Presutto.
Each Sunday, Sandown runs a series of heats that run into a final on Thursday night. The final carries full Free For All stakes – $8940 in total.
The next Melbourne Cup Prelude series will be run on Thursday 25 October, with the Melbourne Cup heats to be run on Thursday 15 November. The $500,000 Melbourne Cup final will be run on Thursday 22 November.
