BOOM dog Damek collected the 515-metre Launceston track record on his way to an impressive win in a heat of the prestigious Illingworth Classic on Monday night.
Damek clocked a sizzling 29.45 to carve up Big Moose’s record of 29.50 that he set in a heat of the Breeders Classic in March last year.
The Elaine Thomas-trained dog began with them from box three but within a blink of an eye he was two lengths clear and went on to score by six lengths from the very smart Regent Typhoon with Hudson over two lengths astern.
He is unbeaten from six starts and will go into next Monday night’s final a long odds-on favourite.
His splits were outstanding clocking 4.98 to the first peg and a second split of 17.44 set up his outstanding victory.
Damek (Big Daddy Cool-World’s Finest) is one of the most exciting greyhounds to grace Tasmanian tracks and it won’t surprise if he ventures across the water in the coming months and makes just as big a mark on city tracks in Victoria and NSW.
Damek’s litter brother Decembrist also was impressive in winning his heat to grab a final berth.
Decembrist also carried the white vest and he too showed early brilliance to lead by two at the first turn.
He extended his lead down the back and then powered home to score by 9-1/4 lengths from Kialdu Grace with Sultan’s Swing two lengths astern.
Decembrist is trained by his breeder Peter Phillips who also owns Damek in partnership with his wife June.
Kialdu Anna forged her way into the final with a brilliant heat win.
The Anthony Bullock-trained bitch showed early brilliance from box seven to find the lead at the first turn and maintained an advantage over her rivals to score by 1-3/4 lengths from Highest Regard with the favourite Winklee Wonder six lengths astern.
Kialdu Anna stopped the clock at 29.71 which was clearly her best on the Launceston circuit.
The first two placegetters in each heat and the two fastest thirds made it through to the final with the connections of the winner to take home a cheque for $12,000.