Big Tee Rex, the biggest greyhound in the series, and Kihael Kaluna, back in form after a tonsillectomy, set the pace in Saturday night's heats of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park.
Both greyhounds were the only heat winners to break 30 seconds, with Big Tee Rex, a giant who tips the scales at more than 38kg, leading throughout in 29.79.
Kihael Kaluna, bought by Australian Bloodstock Syndicate in April after winning a Magic Maiden semi-final in March, also led throughout, stopping the clock at 29.83.
Big Tee Rex's owner-trainer Troy MacDonald had a commitment to attend a friend's wedding on Saturday night, but was still thrilled with the win.
"I watched the race on my phone at the reception and went berserk," he said.
"What a thrill. Big Tee Rex equalled the record at Maitland on October 1 and now this so I think the penny has finally dropped with him."
Kihael Kaluna, meanwhile, had finished with the tail-enders in two starts for his new owner before trainer Mark Gatt decided to have the dog's tonsils removed.
"After he finished last at Maitland on July 23 we got his tonsils out and it has made a lot of difference," Gatt said at Wentworth Park on Saturday.
"Obviously I'm relieved to see the dog win, but to the owners' credit they have put no pressure on me and have taken everything in their stride.
"But I'm not getting carried away because Kihael Kaluna has to keep up the good work."
The other Classic heats went to Explosive Range (30.18), No Donuts (30.01), Nangar Flash (30.11), Good Odds Ocker (30.45), Myrniong Star (30.02) and Black Bear Lee (30.07).
Although he was beaten into second place all the talk at the track was about the amazing run by the sole interstate raider, Victorian-trained Blazin' Bomber.
After missing the jump from box six and being seventh at the halfway mark, Blazin' Bomber was still a distant fourth turning for home.
But he virtually sprouted wings in the straight to get within a length of the winner Black Bear Lee, with pacemaker Magic Spring fading to third.
"Blazin' Bomber had never seen the track and seemed to get lost going around the first turn so that run should do him the world of good for next week's semi-finals," trainer Darren Pattinson said later.
"I'd love to see what he would do from an inside box."
Black Bear Lee's trainer Ruth Matic was also in awe of Blazin' Bomber's effort, but said she had been fairly confident of winning.
"I trialled Black Bear Lee after the last race at Goulburn last Tuesday and he smashed the 440m record, clocking 24.67," Matic said.
"And despite having box one he did it the hard way tonight because Magic Spring baulked him twice when he was trying to rail underneath that dog to reach the lead."
Nangar Flash came from last at the start to run down tearaway leader Good Odds Angel in his heat while his kennelmate Nangar Flame had no luck when second, beaten six lengths, by Kihael Kaluna.
"They both missed the kick as they always seem to do at Wentworth Park, yet at Richmond they fly out," trainer Dennis Barnes' wife Anne said.
"Each of them settle down well in the boxes and appear to be about to jump cleanly but then they always miss it at Wenty."
Barnes said that while there is little between the talent duo, Nangar Flash is "about a tenth of a second" faster than his litter brother.
The Vic Peters Classic series continues next Saturday at Wentworth Park with your semi finals with the final a week later.
See you next week!
