Mark Gatt: ‘I've Never Had A Dog Going Faster'

Astute trainer Mark Gatt says his exciting prospect Leg Speed is "right up there" with the best dogs he's trained "when it comes to natural ability".

The son of US stud dog Pat C Sabbath was Gatt's first runner back from a stewards' enforced spell and the 28-month-old chaser set the Dapto track alight on Thursday night.

Leg Speed ran the third fastest time ever recorded over 520m at the famed South Coast circuit when stopping the clock at 29.37 (5.48, 16.93, 12.44) seconds, a fraction outside Fantastic Dotty's 2015 record of 29.34.

"I've never had a dog going faster than he is at the moment," Gatt said. "That run last night tells you how fast he is.

"The only thing is he has to keep doing in races and start doing it away from Dapto.

"The reality is he's only won two races from nine starts and they have both been at Dapto.

"It's not a very good record for a dog that fast."

? Leg Speed clocked a sizzling 29.37 (Track Record 29.34) over the 520m at Dapto tonight for Mark Gatt ?

? Pat C Sabbath x Vouchers pic.twitter.com/qDg2UwDtk2

— Dimity Maher (@DimityMaher) July 6, 2023

Leg Speed's performance was his first start since February and the red fawn chaser booked a place in next Thursday's $5000-to-the-winner GRNSW 5th Grade Final.

"After next week we'll head back to Wenty," Gatt said. "The time off has done him the world of good.

"Don't get me wrong, he was going pretty good before the spell but he's come back going better for sure. He's a more mature dog now.

"I just want to see him do it when he's getting pressure on his outside and inside.

"He doesn't possess that much pace so as he gets into the better grades of race he's going to be doing it from behind."