Laurie Vella, a retired truck driver from Penrith, bought his first greyhound 47 years ago but has not had one go as fast at Wentworth Park as Ronaldo Vella, who clocked a scorching 29.39 last Thursday night.
Trained by Darren Sultana, Ronaldo Vella led all the way and posted powerful 11.49 run home figures.
Vella named his potential group winner, just two years old but the winner of six from 14 starts, after the legendary Portuguese footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo.
"When I emigrated from Malta as a 20-year-old, like all 'wogs' I was a soccer enthusiast and started following Melita Eagles, Sydney's Maltese team,'' Vella said.
"I've since been converted to rugby league and barrack for Parramatta Eels but greyhound racing is my true love.
"I drove a fuel tanker out of the Shell Refinery for 20 years and during my time working there a colleague, the late Darryl McLeod, talked me into going halves with him in buying a young greyhound.
"He named it Corgas Kid, after his sons Corey and Gary, and when it won 10 races, among them wins at Harold and Wentworth Parks, I was hooked.
"Darren Sultana has trained a couple of good ones for me, including Crocodile Vella, who won 17 races in 2021 and 2022, and Danika Vella, who won 19 between 2023 and 2025.
"But Ronaldo Vella is easily the best dog I've had, he is the quickest by as far as from Penrith to the Harbour Bridge.
"I wasn't too surprised he clocked 29.39 from box one last Thursday because he had previously run 29.55 from box two, and he is a desperate railer, all he wants to do is get to the fence.
"I bought Ronaldo Vella and his litter sister Marissa Vella, who is 10 lengths slower but has been placed in eight Wentworth Park races, from their breeder Frank Gatt.
"When Frank's bitch Ritza Vonnie whelped a litter to Feral Franky on May 3, 2024, I was determined to buy a couple of her pups.
"I knew they would not be cheap but I've always believed in buying impeccably bred youngsters even if it means paying top dollar.
"After being unable to get down to Wollongong, where Ritza Vonnie's pups were whelped, I asked Frank Gatt to select two on my behalf.
"There were only two for sale and luckily Ronaldo Vella was one of the pups Frank chose for me.
"I paid $12,000 each for Ronaldo Vella and Marissa Vella but didn't hesitate paying that much because their dam Ritza Vonnie was already the mother of Joe Scerri's group one winner Ritza Piper, who earned $425,000.''
Laurie Vella epitomises all that is good about greyhound racing, and I have not met a more enthusiastic participant or an owner more passionate about the sport.
