Racing: Swift finish enough to collar rivals

Spontaneous applause erupted throughout the Manukau Stadium on Sunday evening, when freakish staying greyhound Swift Fantasy won the Commercial Plumbing Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar over the 779m endurance test.

In keeping with the traditions of the $80,000 event, the Steve Clark-trained, Albany-based bitch dashed home from last with 320m to run.

It was as though Swift Fantasy flicked on the turbochargers, such was the speed she showed as she weaved her way through the field of good-quality stayers.

Swift Fantasy ranged up to the pace-making duo of Rasmah and Sudden Sam when swinging for home, slipping past them with consummate ease and dashing clear for her convincing 5-length win in a respectable 46.56 seconds on the rain-sodden track.

The Ben Craik-trained Rasmah was brave in clinging on for second, shading Sudden Sam who added a third placing to his runner-up finish last year for trainer Ray Adcock.

"This win is the crowning moment for me in greyhound racing. There is no other race on the national calendar I have desired to win," said Clark, who, after four decades involvement in greyhound racing, has finally secured the most prized trophy in the canine code.

"I thought Swift Fantasy had it won at the halfway point with my biggest fear being her copping a check when racing through the field. She is just an amazing greyhound and a fantastic advertisement for greyhound racing."