Kong, once widely regarded as too big to handle the tight Wentworth Park track, set headquarters alight on Saturday night with one of the finest performances of the year.
The Cheryl MurRay-trained 39 kilogram giant led throughout to win a 4th grade 520m race by just over six lengths in 29.86.
Kong has now won 12 races, including two at Wentworth Park.
The merit of Kong's effort can be gauged by the fact that the next best time on Saturday night was the 30.21 recorded by Tamaar Tux, in a 5th grade event.
Tamaar Tux's run was exceptional as he was checked going through the catching pen when trying to get around the speedy Exciting, who was trailing early leader Uncle Grub.
Tamaar Tux’s trainer, Bruce King, expects continued improvement from his greyhound.
“This dog is just learning to handle two turn tracks like Wentworth Park. He is getting better all the time and has a bright future,” King said.
Mark Gatt's frustration with Smoking Road was finally brought to an end when the greyhound snatched a half-length victory in the opening event – a 5th grade - clocking a moderate 30.63.
“Smoking Road is the fastest greyhound I have educated but after being unlucky in three previous Wenty races he has finally cracked it for a win,” a relieved Gatt said.
Smoking Road almost threw away the race when he collided with the hindquarters of the pacemaker Tough Times at the top of the straight.
Trainer Lynne Aldous attributed Megalodon's rails draw to her greyhound's all-the-way win in 30.40 in another 5th grade on Saturday.
“Megalodon won from boxes three and seven over 618m and 600m recently but she has lost a little of her early pace as she has got older,” Aldous said.
“I think she needs an inside box to be able to hold her early position in sprints and when she came up with box one tonight I thought to myself, this is now or never.”
Saturday's “dress rehearsal” for next month's NSW Distance Championship was a rough affair with the Ray Smith-trained Midnight Treat edging out her National Derby-winning kennelmate Big Daddy Bee in 43.31.
Early favourite Mr. Shire was scratched while Aye Tee Oh, Starzsa Light and Ebby Ripper fell at the first turn.
Aye Tee Oh was leading but Starzsa Light clipped her heels, dragging down the pacemaker, bringing herself unstuck, and causing a chain reaction which saw Ebby Ripper also lose all chance. Aye Tee Oh and Ebby Ripper were both given 10 stand-down periods by stewards as a result of minor injuries while Starza Light was found to be uninjured following the race.
In the scrimmage Midnight Treat surged to the lead with Big Daddy Bee in hot pursuit all the way.
