By Isaac Murphy
History repeated itself at Albion Park on Thursday night, as Tornado Tears lowered his own track record in the Superstayers Invitational headlining a bumper card of greyhound racing.
In a unique night with races over all starting distances at the track it was Australia’s best stayer who delighted fans with his freakish performance.
Fresh off breaking the track record in last week’s Group 1 Gold Cup, Tornado Tears once again grabbed the spotlight clocking his second consecutive track record in 41.20, beating home kennel mate Rippin’ Sam and Tony Apap’s Jalapeno.
Previously cautious to label Tornado Tears Australia’s premier stayer trainer Robert Britton said he was now convinced his dog was something special, drawing comparisons to Australia’s richest Greyhound earner Fanta Bale.
“I’m just wrapped, he seems to be getting better and better and up until tonight I thought this could beat him or that could beat him but it was clear tonight if things go his way he’s going to be awfully hard to beat in any race,” Britton said
“People love a great dog and I saw that right through Fanta Bale where the more she won the more people came out and this dog is keeping that ride going so it’s been fantastic.”
After completing the Gold Cup and Superstayers double Britton has shifted his focus back to Victorian racing.
“The Mackinnon Memorial is on in two weeks’ time, so we’ll give him a really light two weeks freshen him right up, it’s the next group race coming up so we’ve got to throw him in.”
Another highlight on the card was the Free For All Final for the sprinters over the 331m dash. It was another interstate runner who took the spoils, the Dean Turley trained Lid Pinger.
The Northern Rivers dog produced a classic railing performance, sneaking up the inside of race favourite Call Me Ugo in 18.89.
The 331m final was followed by the 395m Free For All Final, where Bribie Island trained Fabrique for Christopher Riordan put one on the board for the Queenslanders.
Riordan admitted his dog had some luck in running but was wrapped with how the race unfolded.
“He got lucky tonight he didn’t want the rail put he got pushed there, when I saw he was on the fence behind the leader I was pretty happy,” he said.
In a successful night for Riordan Double Chip opened the night with a win over the novices in the 520.
A number of winner’s on the night had their sights set on next week’s heat for the Group One Winter Cup starting with Evelyn Harris’ dog Cosmic Bonus who claimed his 29th win for the kennel.
Passion Bonus bagged a nightly double for Harris, backing up strong form behind Flying Amy placed Velocity Charm.
One of the most intriguing runners heading towards the heats is the Steve Scott trained Benali, who dropped back from the 710m Gold Cup last week for an impressive victory over the 600.
The formerly of the Robert Britton kennel is relishing his new home up North.
“He’s a nice dog, goes good, clean, really nice of Robbie (Robert Britton) to trust us with him,” Scott said.
“Coming off the 710 to the 600 he’s done well, it was a tough run last week he burnt himself out, but bounced back really well.”