Forty Twenty Equals Richmond Record & Wins AGRA Run OF The Month
AGRA's Run of the Month for February 2009 has been awarded to New South Wales new staying star Forty Twenty for his brilliant performance in equaling the 717 metre record at Richmond on February 27th 2009.
The John Heard trained youngster was having his first start over the distance of 717 metres but had put the written on the wall the week before storming home over the 618 metres in the fastest time ever seen at Richmond.
Raced by a collection of former St George Illawarra Dragons identities including Ron Bennett and Mark Riddell, Forty Twenty has won his last six races to take his excellent career record to an imposing seven wins from eight starts.
Residing by the sand hills and ocean at beautiful Entrance North on the Central Coast with trainer John Heard, Forty Twenty lives the good life running up the beach and devouring chicken, his favourite snack.
“I trained the mother (Westend Kaitlyn) and she was going to be anything,” said John Heard.
“In 2006, she went to Wentworth Park and passing the catching pen, broke her hock in three places”.
“It was an absolute tragedy but owner David Annersley took every measure to save her and he then sent her to Big Daddy Cool to be served.”
The mating between Big Daddy Cool and Westend Kaitlyn produced a litter of six with an unnamed black and white dog the pick of the bunch.
“I had such a high opinion of Westend Kaitlyn so I was keen to get as many of the litter into my care,” Heard added.
The next step for Forty Twenty will be a debut over 720 metres in town at Wentworth Park next week but after a recent trial there where he was slipped 40 metres in front of the 720 metre boxes, Chinatown Lad's track record of 41.93 seconds is in imminent danger.
“On the advice of professional clocker down there Scott Gollan, he slipped from a mark in front of the 720 boxes to see if he could run the trip.
“Scott told me that on the times he ran, he went the best anything has ever gone around Wentworth Park before. Better than Miagi, better than anything,” Heard added.
An invitation only staying race on Golden Easter Egg night looks the short term goal for Forty Twenty.
A potential mouth watering clash with fellow rising star Sand Burner and distance heavyweights Gunnadoo Magic and Lilley Criminal would even threaten to overshadow the Group One race.
Forty Twenty has raced eight times for seven wins and one placing and his current prizemoney earnings stand at $12,270.
As usual there were some outstanding runs recorded in February featured some young up and coming greyhounds plus some seasoned performers and as ever it was a difficult decision coming up with the AGRA Run of the Month.
AGRA congratulates owner Ron Bennett trainer John Heard and Forty Twenty on being judged the AGRA Run of the Month for February 2009. He joins last month's AGRA Run Of The Month winner Scull Murphy.
Photo's Courtesy Craig Youll Photography
[…] Twenty’s previous record run at Richmond earnt him the February 2009 Run Of The Month and he looks set to go close to another award for June. It also has greatly enhanced his propsects […]