Like Wildfire obliterates The Gardens 600m track record in 16 length romp
The Michael Ivers bred, owned and trained Like Wildfire obliterated The Gardens 600m track record on Saturday night, winning by 16.25 lengths in 33.88.
The new record takes almost five lengths off the previous record set by Tania Keeping at 34.14 in January this year.
Like Wildfire is now undefeated in five career race starts, and is now a dual track record-holder, having set the Gosford 600m track record last start.
As predicted, greyhound bookmakers took no chances with the son of Goodesy and Freaky Tears, sending him to the boxes a long odds-on -2000 favourite.
Like Wildfire began on terms with the field, and aided by the inside draw, drove up under early leader Patonga Dave to gain the lead at the winning post the first time around.
But it was in the back straight where Like Wildfire exploded away from the field, opening up an ever-widening gap on the other dogs.
The Gardens GRNSW Middle Distance Series 4/5th Grade 600m – Like Wildfire (33.88 – Track Record)
Prior to the race Ivers, had expressed concern a trial mishap may have an impact on the dog's run.
Trialling the dog early in the week to give him a look at the track, Ivers said “He was just hitting top speed when we slowed him down and he ended up between the lure and carriage.
“We got out of there in one piece thankfully.”
Like Wildfire, a litter brother to the 2023 Launching Pad quinella of Trooper Tears and Trapper Tears, now holds The Gardens 600m track record at 33.88, and the Gosford 603m track record at 33.96.
Looking at the way Like Wildfire ran last night, it is only a matter of time until the greyhound is produced over the true staying distance.
The 32kg black dog's true ability is really only appreciated after the first 300m of the race, and seemingly he just gets comparatively quicker the further he goes.
With the New South Wales (NSW) National Distance Championships scheduled for August this year, Ivers will have a number of options available to him to get the young staying star there.
The Gardens will host another GRNSW Middle Distance Series race worth the same $6,200 to-the-winner next week, and you would expect the young greyhound will only improve again at his second race start at the track.
Sticking to middle distance racing would clear a path for Like Wildfire to tackle the Grafton Stayers Cup over 660m with heats in early July, although the race is only worth $8,000 to-the-winner.
Given the dog's dominance of middle distance events though, attracting enough competitor nominations for 4th and 5th grade fields over 600m could be Ivers' biggest immediate problem.
Alternatively Ivers may elect to head to Wentworth Park over 720m for a GRNSW Stayers Series 5th grade race at a track where Like Wildfire won on debut over 520m in 29.76.
Regardless of which path opens up for Ivers and Like Wildfire, the main factor governing any race planning will be keeping the young star's unbeaten record in tact at start number six.
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