Times, times and times was all that mattered today at Healesville with eight heats of the Emerald run.
But it wasn’t the winners who made it through to the $20,000 feature on Sunday afternoon, rather the fastest eight qualifiers.
Serial Sticker for Brendan Pursell took time honours today, with a frightening 16.251 second performance over the 300 metre distance.
Serial Sticker, for Brendan Pursell stops the clock in a slick 16.251 seconds.
“The run is crazy, out of this world – a huge statement from Serial Sticker, he could not have been any more impressive,” Race caller James Van de Maat said.
“With no tailwind what-so-ever, that is as close as you’ll get to a record run. The only times you will see a track record broken here is with some sort of tail breeze.”
Sheezel was the second fastest qualifier, stopping the clock in a time of 16.269 seconds. But it was his 3.76 second first sectional, 0.02 seconds off the first sectional record, that dropped mouths.
Sheezel (5) for Mario Briganti win his Emerald Heat in a time of 16.269 seconds.
“Look at the first section – that should be impossible from a greyhound,” James Van de Maat said.
“6.33… Wow, that is ridiculous,” Van de Maat said.
Mile A Minute finished second behind Sheezel but recorded the third fastest time of 16.408 seconds, becoming a beneficiary of the time focused Emerald series.
Kennel mates Short Straw Trev and Hijack missed out on a rug in the Emerald despite winning their heats.
Emerald qualifiers in time order;
Serial Sticker – 16.251
Sheezel – 16.269
Mile A Minute – 16.406
Blessed Rain – 16.408
Zipping Gryllis – 16.457
Highly Abrasive – 16.490
Cheap Red Wine – 16.497
Imani – 16.508