Just over three months ago veterinary opinion was that Old Mick Banner was only a 50/50 chance of racing again but the Barry Gibbons-trained dog has not only returned to the track but on Saturday night won in his personal best Wentworth Park time.
Old Mick Banner led throughout to win a 520m fifth grade in 29.92, well inside his previous best time in six Wentworth Park appearances of 30.16.
"In September he fractured a stopper bone and they don't usually race successfully after that injury,'' Gibbons said.
"But Old Mick Banner has not only come back but is going better than ever.''
Fastest time on Saturday night was posted by Michael Eberand's model of consistency Ebby Infrared, who led throughout to beat Winlock On Top and Ritza Coen in the Free-For-All, stopping the clock at 29.80.
Eberand had Ebby Jet Power in last week's Christmas Gift match race series but had preferred to see Ebby Infrared drawn ahead of his kennelmate, as he has always rated Saturday night's winner the slightly superior of the pair.
Sunburnt Highway, who had box eight, was caught on the outside of Nangar Kash, who drew seven, from the start until the home bend.
After the race John Richardson, whose wife Judith trains Sunburnt Highway, said: "He has been a fantastic greyhound but turned four in August and is not quite the dog he was.
"From now on we will probably restrict Sunburnt Highway to masters races because the young up-and-coming greyhounds will mostly be too good for him these days.
"Just the same it was a brave win tonight because while he only drew away near the finish to win narrowly, I reckon his winning margain would have been greater if he had the inside instead of the outside running on Nangar Kash throughout the race.''
Stanley Road will tackle the group 2 Summer Distance Plate heats at Wentworth Park on January 16 following his impressive 42.14 win over 720m on Saturday night.
The Mark Gatt-trained Stanley Road came from third on the back straight and second on the home bend before easily running down pacemaker Prim And Proper.
Stanley Road's owner Eddie Kingswell said: "Not long ago I asked trainer Mark Gatt if he thought this dog was going to become a decent stayer.
"Mark assured me that in a month's time Stanley Road would be a really good long distance performer and he has been proved right.''
Blue Moss will be set for the group 1 Ladbrokes National Derby heats on January 15 following his second successive Wentworth Park win on Saturday night.
Blue Moss led throughout to win in 29.99 at Wentworth Park on December 19 but dwelt at box rise before leading approaching the first bend to score in 30.04 on Saturday.
"I intend nominating Blue Moss for a meeting at Wentworth Park on Wednesday, January 6, to top him off for the Derby heats,'' trainer Glenn Summerfield said.
"When Blue Moss won last week his first split was 5.49 but because he didn't begin well tonight he only clocked 5.54 to the first mark.
"But this dog is capable of pinging the lids so when he does that at Wenty he is capable of running quick splits.''
Lucky Eleven gave up-and-coming stud dog Lucky Chap his first city winner when she led throughout in a 520m fifth grade in 30.08.
Lucky Eleven won easily despite racing wide and posted a quick first section of 5.46.
After the race trainer Jodie Lord indicated she would aim the bitch for the group 1 Ladbrokes National Futurity heats at Wentworth Park on January 15.
Diamantina Rose can lay claim to being Sydney's most improved sprinter after leading throughout to easily win a strong fourth and fifth grade on Saturday in 29.98, her personal best Wentworth Park time.
After the race Alan Proctor, whose wife Christine trains Diamantina Rose, said: "She is going a lot better because she has suddenly discovered how to begin fast.
"And she obviously loves box eight, because she had that draw when she won in 30.11 on December 16 and had the same alley tonight.''
