Minnie Finn is recognised as being one of Australia's top trainers but the extraordinary 29.34s win by her dog Might Have Been at Wentworth Park on Saturday night put the seal on her skill with the lead and collar.
Might Have Been (pictured with Minnie Finn) went into Saturday night's 520m fifth grade with two wins and three placings over 622m and 722m at Richmond from his previous five starts.
But on Saturday Might Have Been grabbed the lead from Gold Rush Lad at the first turn and after being challenged by his kennelmate and litter brother Both Bowers Ace on the back straight, drew away to win by more than four lengths.
After the race Denis Donoghue, part owner of Might Have Been and Both Bowers Ace, said: "That was a mighty training performance by Minnie.
"Once Might Have Been hit the front so early I knew they weren't going to beat him because he is so strong, that's why he has been racing over middle and long distances.''
Finn's quinella greyhounds on Saturday are part of a litter whelped in February, 2022, by former top class stayer Poco Dorado, who was trained by Finn's late husband John.
Sired by Flying Ricciardo, the litter also includes group one Wentworth Park National Futurity winner Gets Late Early.
Denis Donoghue summed up: "When this litter began racing they looked like being nothing more than handy greyhounds.
"But with age each of them has kept getting better and better.''
Saturday's 520m Maiden Final almost certainly unearthed a pair of future stars in winner Depeche and runner-up Zipping Duvall.
Depeche, trained by Peter Lagogiane, had qualified fastest after winning her heat in 29.84 but she stepped up a notch or two on Saturday, leading throughout in 29.63.
Zipping Duvall, who came from midfield to win his heat in 30.29, also improved, running home strongly to finish second, clocking a slick 29.73 in defeat.
Zipping Duvall is trained by Minnie Finn but as predicted by his trainer, was unable to run down Depeche once that greyhound went to the lead soon after the start.
Depeche's kennelmate Surroundings went with the winner early but was unable to hold her out at the first turn.
Trainer Peter Lagogiane said: "Depeche only just cleared Surroundings, in fact I think she gave him an ankle tap going into the first bend.
"Depeche's owners are keen to see her contest the group one Peter Mosman Opal heats on June 29 but I think she is too inexperienced.
"Depeche has a big future but she is still learning and is still very green.''
Ferness gave trainer Ron Evans his first city winner when he held off a late charge by Flash Boom Bang to win a 520m fifth grade on Saturday in 29.67.
Evans, who took out a training licence in 2021, had seen Ferness placed in five of his six previous WP starts.
"Among his previous Wentworth Park races Ferness had been runner-up to Nangar Larry and Zipping Megatron and finished third to Mackenna so I'm thrilled to see him finally break through tonight,'' Evans said.
Flash Boom Bang's trainer Jack Smith landed a double with Bella Una in 29.55 and Irinka Benji in 29.77 while Nangar Larry notched his 11th Wentworth Park win for trainer Jodie Lord, clocking 29.51.
