FASTEST OF YEAR

It might be the first FOY of 2020 but don’t be fooled into thinking that it will be mundane second rate form. There have been a string of very decent performances already racked up.

For example, we have a decent established track record broken by Kenton Ten at Harlow. Mark Fenwick’s runner also has the quickest two bend sprint seen at Romford on the new circuit – and only nine spots outside Walk The Talk’s track record. While Antigua Romeo can claim a much younger Hove 500 metre track record, with the form franked over the Monmore 480.

On the subject of 2019 times already being bettered, you can thrown in Oakvale Charlie (Pelaw 435) and Skilful Sandie (Romford 750). The latter is particularly interesting since the time she bettered was her own. Others to retain FOY status over the identical course and distances include Locnamon Mike (Nottingham 730), Rahivra Flash (Peterborough 620) and Sparta Master (Romford 575).

Starshinedestiny recent equalled the quickest sprint at Doncaster last year, and although not quicker than her mighty kennelmate Ice On Fire, Dilly Dilly‘s 28.29 was just 11 spots slower than the Greyhound of the Year’s best for the Newcastle 480 last year.

A mention too for the remarkable Southfield Bea – fastest over the Swindon 509, 514 and 649 metre courses in 2019, currently quickest over the 476.

Finally, it is worth remembering that not all the quick runs come in opens. Despite having staged some decent quality events on Saturday nights, the Crayford 380m best went to Droopys Gogo in A3, while the fastest 540 – admittedly on very fast going – was set by Absolute Eiei in S4 company.