A new chapter in the history of Sandown Park began 10 years ago today with the introduction of the 595m racing distance.
Somewhat controversial at the time, the distance was added to give greater options for trainers and to help bridge the gap between the 515m and 715m distances. Following the conversion of the track surface to Burrumbeet sand and installation of new Steriline boxes and new timing systems, the first 595m race was programmed for the third race on the card on Thursday 8 April 2010. To chagrin of punters, Galactic Diamond caused an upset in that first race, saluting by four lengths and paying $13.80 in a winning time of 34.63. The second race over the trip was run four races later and was taken out by the aptly named Best Of Times in 34.29.
Being a new racing surface and timing system, new track records weren’t declared for three months meaning the first official 595m track record belonged to Bling It On’s 34.01. That record stood until January 2011 when the unheralded Bobby Boucheau obliterated the mark by almost six lengths when running 33.67. His winning margin was an incredible 19.25 lengths, a record winning margin over any distance that still stands to this day.
Interestingly, Bobby Boucheau went on to also break the 715m record when winning the Sandown Cup four months later. While Lady Arko eclipsed the 715m mark soon after, his 595m time standard stood for over five years, eventually falling to TAB Melbourne Cup winner Dyna Double One and his 33.63 gallop remains the standard some four years later.
The first feature race over the 595m journey was won by the versatile Flash Of Light, the third group race win of her career.
We’ve seen some of the greatest greyhounds of all time compete in the 2131 races run over the middle distance, with races won by the likes of Dyna Double One, My Redeemer, Tornado Tears, Dyna Patty, Xylia Allen, Dundee Osprey and Blazin’ Bomber.
Here’s a look at the numbers for the first decade of racing over 595m at Sandown Park.
Race run: 2131
Thursday: 1576
Sunday: 556
Number of greyhounds to have raced over the distance: 4480
Number of greyhounds to have won over the distance: 1301
Most starts over the distance: 39, Light The Track
Most number of wins over the distance: 7, Polijuice Potion
Box splits:
| Box1 | Box2 | Box3 | Box4 | Box5 | Box6 | Box7 | Box8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 405 | 309 | 260 | 253 | 221 | 234 | 210 | 239 |
| 19.01% | 14.50% | 12.20% | 11.87% | 10.37% | 10.98% | 9.85% | 11.22% |
Track record: 33.630, Dyna Double One (28/1/16)
Fastest Speed Star win: 33.668, Tornado Tears (16/9/18)
Fastest exhibition trial: 33.774, Tornado Tears (6/9/18)
Slowest win (SAN): 35.63, Golden Ruthless (28/8/11)
Slowest win (SAP): 35.77, Xera Bale (14/1/18)
Average winning time (SAN): 34.47
Average winning time (SAP): 34.55
Longest priced winner: $51.70, Reality Shintaro (27/10/16)
Biggest winning margin: 19.25 lengths, Bobby Boucheau (8/1/11)
Closets margin: Dead heat between Fuzzy Buzzy and Rinash (4/5/14)
Trainers to have trained a winner over 595m: 483
Most wins by trainer:
158, Robert Britton
125, Andrea Dailly
91, Jeff Britton
Best strike rate (min 20 starts):
31.8%, Ron Wood
31%, Robert Redenbach
30%, Steve White
Dyna Double One runs the fastest ever time over 595m
