JUST HOW FAST WAS DIAMOND’S THIRD BEND CLOCK? (TAKE 2)

Ian Fortune

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have already read this story this morning but there is a very important update contained below. As so often happens, we got it slightly wrong.

Minutes after the original story went up, a message came through for Jamie McGee to confirm that Hawkfield Ozark is the fastest greyhound to the third bend in Shelbourne Park since the introduction of the third bend sectional.

Within a couple of minutes of Bockos Diamond trialling in a rapid 27.98 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, the question was posed more than once; how fast was that third bend clock?

Posting a stunning 15.68 to the third turn, most on the stands knew it was extremely quick but just how fast was it? While there is no official record of the third bend sectionals, it’s fair to say very few greyhounds have ever gone faster than 15.70.

As we now know, Hawkfield Ozark clocked an incredible 15.66 on his way to a 28.11 victory in September 2022. Another greyhound that broke 15.70 is the ill-fated Droopys Optimum in May 2022. In what would ultimately be his penultimate career start, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Zero clocked 15.68 on his way to a 28.04 success.

Both were scarcely believable displays and they remain the two fastest third bend sectionals at Shelbourne Park. Of course, Bockos Diamond posted 15.68 but it came in a trial. It does go to highlight his incredible ability, however.

Coincidentally, like Droopys Ultimatum, he too is a son of Dorotas Wildcat. He may not be Derby favourite with Boylesports at the moment after being unshipped by Callaway Knegare, but one suspects he will be back at the head of the betting before the classic gets underway next month. The heavy hitters really do like to get stuck into a seeded runner with massive early speed and Bockos Diamond falls right into that category.