Firethorn posted near track record time at Grafton on Sunday in what must rank as a unique clearance trial - being tested to see if she was fit to compete in races as a one-eyed greyhound!
The Mark Moroney bred, owned and trained youngster was required to trial in front of GWIC stewards after having an eye removed, but rocketed over the 350m trip in 19.65, just .13sec outside Rushforth Ally's track record figures set on March 17.
Moroney explained: "Firethorn suffered an eye injury as a puppy and after she had a third and a win from her first three races it always seemed to be worrying her.
"So I took her to a veterinary surgeon at nearby Maclean, who is reputed to be an expert on eye ailments, and he recommended that the eyeball be taken out.
"Firethorn is definitely going better without the troublesome eye, not surprising as the vet thought she would have been feeling pressure from it.
"I trialled Firethorn over 400m at Maitland a few months ago and she clocked a smart 22.60 so I reckon she can go a lot faster there now.
"I plan to start her in a maximum 150 points fifth grade 400m race at Maitland on Monday.
"Firethorn is by Wow from Sweet Fire All, whose previous litter produced my top class stayer She Is Fire, a winner of 24 from 41 races.
"These pups by Wow from Sweet Fire All can all run and my uncle Mick Landrigan won last month's Pop Northfield Maiden Final at Casino with Apache Tiger, a dog pup from the litter.
"They are only 19 months old so look to have a big future.
She Is Fire
"A minor injury put She Is Fire out of the Group 2 Farrell's Sydney Cup final at Wentworth Park on October 18 but she is back in work and trialled over 450m at Grafton on Monday.
"I plan to give her a 525m trial at Taree on Saturday with her mission being the Group 1 Bold Trease series over 715m at Sandown later this month.''
All the news though is not good for Moroney as he recently lost Sweet Fire All, the dam of She Is Fire, Firethorn and Apache Tiger.
"My wife and I were devastated because Sweet Fire All was only seven years old and lived in our house, sleeping on the lounge, so she was part of the family.
"We are just grateful she has left us with some wonderful female offspring to continue her dam line.''
She Is Fire
Flash Jet will be out to maintain his unbeaten tally of five wins from five starts when he steps out in heats of a 320m fifth grade at Richmond on Friday.
Trained by John Grief for his mother Joanne Zammit, Flash Jet notched his fifth straight win at Richmond on Sunday, clocking a fast 17.91, just outside the track record of 17.83 set by Sicario Beast on April 29.
Flash Jet's five victories have been nothing short of remarkable, totalling winning margins of over 28 lengths.
John Grief said: "Flash Jet is out of Pick It Up, who won a dozen races for my mother and this litter sired by Sennachie, is talented.
"Flash Jet's litter sister Our Mumma Jo has had six starts for three wins and three placings for us and there are another 10 of their siblings ready to race.
"Our Mumma Jo has won her past two starts over 401m at Richmond and after Friday I will step Flash Jet up to that trip.
"I know he can run it out because I had been preparing him for the 440m Zoom Top Maiden series at Goulburn when he went amiss.''
