Group one winner Deliver melted the clock on his way to taking an emphatic win in the Million Dollar Chase heats at Wagga on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Only one greyhound had ever broken 30 seconds for the 525-metre trip at Wagga, but Jason Thompson's star made it two with a blistering performance.
He stopped the clock in 29.71 seconds to take 0.23 seconds off Good Odds Buddy's record set in the Wagga Gold Cup final in May.
On his first trip to Wagga, Thompson was surprised by how well Deliver went in the unfamiliar surrounds.
"I don't care how good they are and how many races they've won elsewhere when you come to a new track you don't start from scratch but you are possibly at some disadvantage," Thompson said.
"I would rather had him from box one having not seen the track than maybe out of a bad box and trailled here.
"It is good to draw where he wanted to be and to win was really good but to run the record was even better."
Thompson had to settle for second with his other runner Black Opium.
However the first half of his mission is complete.
"What we really came here to do was qualify for the final and then touch wood run in the first four to go to Wentworth Park," he said.
"To get a nice win like that was good."
Black Opium was upstaged by The Rock greyhound Ultimate Speed.
Using his local experience, the relatively inexperienced dog was able to hold off a fast finish from his better credentialed rival.
Coming off a third in Adelaide, trainer Brian Smith was pleased but far from surprised with the $12 shot.
"I know what the dog can run and if the seven (Black Opium) hadn't been here then he was a chance of getting beat," Smith said.
"He was boxed where he had a chance so I'm not surprised."
With a Wentworth Park victory to his credit Ultimate Speed is definitely enjoying a new lease on life at The Rock.
Smith believes he's got a bright future and is looking to draw well in the final.
"He will be very hard to beat (Deliver) but it depends on the box draw comes up with," he said.
"This dog will go a bit better."
Ultimate Speed will need to after being the slowest of the three winners, clocking 30.04.
There's A Catch also broke the 30-second barrier in the second heat.
The Raymond Henness-trained dog clocked 29.97 after leading from box five.
He is one of two Henness runners in next Saturday's final after Extra Gear was second to Deliver.
San Isidore trainer Julie French also qualified Sunlit Conswala as one of the fastest thirds.
READ MORE