Renowned trainer David Hobby is once again making headlines in the world of greyhound racing, bringing a powerful team to the Winter Sprint final (400m) at Tabtouch Park Mandurah this Friday night. Hobby, based in Nambeelup, has firmly stamped his authority on the event by qualifying five runners—more than half the field—for the prestigious trophy decider.

Leading the charge is Hobby’s star greyhound, Sunset Hornet, who delivered an impressive all-the-way victory in her heat, clocking a sharp 22.60. Sunset Hornet, who started from the wide draw of box eight, exploded out of the traps to seize the early lead and never looked back. Despite a strong late push from Fire Lighter, Sunset Hornet held on to win by three-quarters of a length, underlining her status as one of the main threats heading into the final.

Another heat saw a thrilling one-two finish for Hobby’s team, as Sunset Ali edged out kennelmate Sunset Capone in a time of 29.61. The race was a tactical affair with Sunset Ali showing strength in the latter stages to overpower Capone, who had looked commanding in the early goings. It was a testament to the depth and quality of Hobby’s kennel that two of his runners were locked in their own personal battle at the front of the pack.

Adding to his formidable representation, Hobby also successfully qualified Sunset Mirage and Sunset Nightjar, who both earned their places in the final by running second and third, respectively, in their heat behind the eye-catching Surf The Sun. Although they didn’t win their heat, their performances were credible, suggesting they could play a significant role in the final shake-up, especially if given early room to move.

But while Hobby’s squad is undeniably strong, the standout performance of the heats arguably came from Surf The Sun, trained by Gary Nelson. Surf The Sun recorded the fastest qualifying time of the night—29.59 seconds—after bursting from box one and never surrendering the lead. It was a near-flawless display of early speed and control that left his rivals with little opportunity to challenge. He won by just under two lengths, firmly establishing himself as the greyhound to beat in the final.

The final promises to be a tactical and fast-paced affair, with Hobby’s multi-pronged assault facing a serious challenge from Surf The Sun. While Hobby has strength in numbers, Nelson’s charge has the pace and form to spoil the party.

Friday night’s race is shaping up to be a captivating showdown between one of Western Australia’s most accomplished trainers and a rival hopeful determined to upset the balance. For Hobby, it’s a chance to further cement his reputation as a powerhouse in greyhound racing. For Nelson and Surf The Sun, it’s an opportunity to seize the spotlight and etch their names into sprint racing glory.

With so much talent lined up at the boxes, fans at Tabtouch Park Mandurah can expect fireworks as the region’s top sprinters clash for Winter Sprint supremacy.