Fernando Diva improves half a second to run near track record at Grafton
Fernando Diva may not have been able to qualify for the world's richest short course race, The Thunderbolt, at Grafton; but she proved she was well up to the class on Tuesday night, improving her personal best on the track by half a second to go within a half length of the track record.
The Terry Jordan-trained greyhound had tried to qualify for The Thunderbolt but could only manage last in a qualifying heat behind eventual winner Vamoose.
Facing the starter on Tuesday after a two week break from racing, she was greyhound betting's second elect at +550 with greyhound betting apps, behind long odds-on favourite Commands Respect at -555.56.
But the race was over as soon as the lids broke free, with Fernando Diva flying through the first section in 3.97 seconds, and going on to win by two lengths in 19.68.
Grafton Non Grade 350m June 27 2023 – Fernando Diva (19.68) T: Terry Jordan
The winning run smashed Fernando Diva's previous personal best Grafton 350m time of 20.11 by half a second, and went within a half length of Cash Master's 19.64 track record set in October 2022.
By Fernando Bale out of Precious Sal, Fernando Diva has now raced 44 times for 14 wins and 12 placings.
Bred by Margaret Dwyer, she has earned owner Merv Papworth $30,070 in prizemoney for those efforts.
Fernando Diva is from Precious Sal's first October 2019 litter of eight dogs and three bitches which has produced nine individual winners, including 2022 Group 1 Dapto Megastar runner-up Lochinvar Lona.