TIGGERLONG Tonk showed why he's regarded as one of the country's most exciting young sprinters with a comprehensive victory in a tonight's star studded edition of the group 3 East Gift at Sandown Park.
Billed as the best field seen in 2020, Tiggerlong Tonk was stepped cleanly before accelerating brilliantly to lead past the winning post the first time and from there was never headed. The son of TAB Melbourne Cup winner Dyna Double One put three lengths on his rivals entering the back straight, extending that lead to 6½ lengths in a scorching 29.14.
"When he jumps like that, that's the dog he is," said his beaming trainer Correy Grenfell following the win.
"His last four or five starts he's missed the kick and had to drive hard but tonight he's gone to the front and shown us what he can do."
Tiggerlong Tonk was the youngest greyhound in the field and at just 26 months of age has already won two group races and over $179,000 in prize money. His early success on the track has already drawn comparisons to Grenfell's 2018/19 Greyhound Of The Year, Orson Allen.
"I think I compared them early days which I probably shouldn't have, but this boy is going to be something special. If he can show the pace that he has, there's no reason he can't follow what Orson did.
"To be this young and beat the field he beat he did tonight is outstanding."
Snags McKenzie ran second in the race, holding off TAB Australian Cup winner Fernando's Riot.
Later in the night, 2019 Launching Pad winner Tauwitchere won her third consecutive race, this time over 595m in 34.18, while Mister Harlewood continued to impress since stepping up the 715m trip, recording the 20th fastest time ever recorded over the distance when winning in 41.535.
