Brad Hill Billy cemented his status as a greyhound to watch with his near-record run at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
The flying greyhound made it four successive victories with his brilliant 29.37 run, defeating a strong field including Opus Forte and Chica Destacada.
Although trained at FORBES, NSW, by Ray Smith, Brad Hill Billy is owned by Tasmanian breeder Joe Pringle and his family, from remote Zeehan, on the island's west coast.
Chica Destacada made the pace from Brad Hill Billy on Saturday but the former Tasmanian railed underneath her to hit the front leaving the back straight.
Although noted strong finisher Opus Forte loomed up menacingly approaching the home bend, Brad Hill Billy drew away in the straight to win by four lengths.
Click here to watch a replay of Brad Hill Billy's win.
Those who were shocked Opus Forte could not take ground off Brad Hill Billy were no longer surprised when times were semaphored, with the winner stopping the clock at 29.37 with a blistering run home of 11.53.
Tasmania's sole National Sprint Championship winner, since the race was first held in 1965, was Busy Vintage, who won the 1984 final at Sydney's Harold Park.
Brad Hill Billy now looms as a serious contender in the series, with the NSW heats to be held at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
"I won't be doing anything different with him this week,'' trainer Ray Smith said. "Brad Hill Billy will go up and down my straight track each day - that's what he always does.''
The dog's owner Joe Pringle is a former champion racing pigeon trainer as is Dennis Reid, whose greyhound Miner's Moss notched his 40th win here.
Having his 96th start for NSW Northern Rivers trainer Mathew Reid, Dennis Reid's son, Miner's Moss came from fourth early and second at the catching pen to run down Are Jai Que in 30.02
.
"Miner's Moss was not the most healthy greyhound when he was younger,'' Mathew Reid said. "He had ongoing stomach problems but that has all cleared up with age which is why, despite the fact Miner's Moss turned four in June, he is racing better than ever.
"When I realised he was eligible for a fifth grade at Wenty I threw in a nomination for tonight but was a bit perturbed when I saw how strong the field was. But the dog did his bit.
"Although my place at Yorklea, near Casino, is more than nine hours' drive away, it will seem like a quick trip home now!''
Bass Louder, once almost sold to China for $500, took his earnings to more than $35,000 with his 18th win in 32 starts here.
"I have bought quite a few dogs from his breeder Grant Miller," trainer Kevin Pearce said. "One day he phoned to say he was about to sell Bass Louder, then unraced, to China.
"Instead he offered me a month's trial training the dog, the idea being that if Bass Louder improved we could sell him in Australia and split the money.
"Although Bass Louder was very ordinary when I first got him, he gradually improved and I finished up buying him from Grant for $5000.
"He is a terrific race dog, a very hard chaser, but I can only bring him to Sydney when I have someone who can drive us.
"I can't drive long distances so Bass Louder's next race will probably be in the Stan Cassidy Memorial at Bathurst, my home track, next Monday.''
See you next week!
