Brad Hill Billy thwarted Steve White's attempts to land back-to-back Group 2 Bob Payne Sprint Sprint titles at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
White's Paua To Roar looked all over a winner when he sped away to the first turn and set up a big lead on the back straight after posting a slick second split of 13.74.
But Brad Hill Billy, despite a slow getaway, railed through to fourth position at the halfway mark and when he zoomed underneath Uno Suzie to reach second spot on the home bend, he was always going to be too strong.
Former Tasmanian Brad Hill Billy has been a revelation since making his mainland debut in May, contesting 14 Wentworth Park races for seven wins and six placings.
His win in 29.84 for trainer Ray Smith in Saturday night's $40,000-to-the-winner race was well earned after his recent Canberra Cup Consolation win and run of strong form.
The eye-catching run among the beaten division on Saturday was Ritza Rossi's last-to-third performance, a cracking 'trial' for next month's Vic Peters Classic series.
Rapidly-improving Ritza Rossi is trained by Mark Gatt, who won the Bob Payne Spring Sprint with Oaks Road in 2012.
Bessy Boo shows no sign of slowing down after scoring his 29th win at race number 95 in the Wentworth Park Free-For-All.
Bessy Boo's defeat of Knight Sprite in a slick 29.81 swelled his records to more than $250,000.
"He is just unbelievable," trainer Christine Proctor said. "When my husband Alan or I leads him to the boxes, it is difficult to hold him. He is all business and is still as keen to get into the action as he was in his first start.
"We never have to include him in the pre-race stir-up. He doesn't need the incentive of hearing the lure whizz around - he is always raring to go."
Knight Sprite's second placing has earned him a trip to Victoria next month for a Melbourne Cup prelude.
When NSW South Coast owner Paul Claridge bought youngsters bred by Jason Magri at a Dapto Puppy Auction, he became so well acquainted with the Sydney trainer he asked him to train an older greyhound on his behalf.
On Saturday night that greyhound, Irish Gangsta, took his Wentworth Park tally to two wins and two minor placings from five starts with a seven-length win in 29.86.
Irish Gangster's previous best Wentworth Park time was 30.19 but Magri was not surprised by Saturday night's much quicker figures.
"The dog trialled well for me when I first brought him here, clocking a first split of 5.40," Magri said. "He had problems with cramping, but I have got him right now.
"He flew out of the boxes and I wasn't surprised that he produced a first split of 5.32."
Queen Esther is set to line up for her 100th race start at Wentworth Park this Saturday night after registering her 16th city win on her 99th appearance.
"It would be nice for her to have her 100th start at Wentworth Park so I will nominate her for the Saturday," owner-trainer Noelene Holloway said.
Londonderry trainer Chris Carl presented his partner Jody Gordon with two greyhounds as gifts and on Saturday night Irinka Wap, which he had bought from Brad Hill Billy's trainer Ray Smith, scored his fourth Wentworth Park win.
Just 48 hours earlier Makenton Jag, the other greyhound Carl had given to Gordon, won over the 565m at Maitland.
Irinka Wap was a $26 chance but Carl said he was unsurprised by the win.
"He had box eight and has now won four races from the outside alley," he said. "Although Irinka Wap is a railer, he hunts up better from box eight and Topper Road, who had box seven tonight, and is a good railer, was always going to help my dog get a clear run."
See you next week!
