THAT TRIAL FROM BOCKOS

Ian Fortune

Our own Barry Drake put it best in his report of Saturday’s action that the trial of Bockos Diamond over the 330yd trip at Curraheen Park was “a run you would have thought was never possible”.

Indeed, it received many a double-take from greyhound enthusiasts across the land.

But it also got us thinking, has there ever been a better trial? Yes, many wonderfully fast greyhounds have trialled so well over various distances in the past but to go a full 30 spots under the track record at a track where so many brilliant sprinters have plied their trade over the years is remarkable.

In my own time in greyhound racing, which is longer than I’d care to admit, one trial stood out. Back in 1992, Polnoon Chief posted a 28.55 return around Shelbourne in preparation for a tilt at the Derby. The Fraser Black trained powerhouse had been a stunning winner of the Puppy Derby at Harold’s Cross the previous autumn so he was a proven performer but it was scarcely believable that a greyhound could go so fast.

For obvious reasons, the trial made headlines. At the time the 525yd track record of Tantallons Gift stood at 28.73. In fact, it had stood since 1976 and wouldn’t be broken until the sensationally fast bitch Cool Panther posted 28.72 in 1997.

But here is the question. Can you remember any other trials that were other-worldly? If you can, send them on. Also, try and give your reasoning for that belief. The emails is: news@grireland.ie.