Koroit greyhound Mr. Quirky qualified for Thursday’s Fast Forward final over 512 metres with a 2½ length heat win in last week’s Icon Signs TG1-4W Stake.

Trained by Lindsay Brookes for the Many Winners Syndicate, the son of Zambora Brockie and Sisco Sizzle took up the running off the back when defeating Cawbourne Attack in a time of 30.01 seconds.

The win was the black dog’s first since last November and his first-ever win over 512 metres after four previous unplaced runs over the distance.

With the eight fastest greyhounds from the two heats making their way through to the final, irrespective of finishing positions, Mr. Quirky qualified in third spot.

Later in the day, Brookes brought up a double when Family Friend gained a run as a reserve. The son of Tommy Brislane and Sunningdale was always on the pace from box one and held off Give Me Love to win the Exchange Printers TG1-4W Stake (400 m) by a neck in 23.85 seconds.

The double was the first for Brookes at Tara Raceway since November 30 last year when he had been successful with Swirling Miss and Mr. Quirky.

Time honours for the Fast Forward heats went the way of the Tracie Price trained Aston Verona – also a winner at her first 512 metre start the previous week – in a time of 29.88 seconds in the Produce Store TG1-4W Stake.

Raced by Ray Borda, she is a white and blue daughter of Fernando Bale and Aston Nova, currently Tara Raceway’s leading brood bitch this year with 14 wins.

Aston Verona found the front down the back straight before running out a 1¼ length winner over Kiwi To Burn with a further length back to Starlight Jewel.

The second and third placegetters also made their way through to the final for Hamilton mother and son team, Lorraine and Kyle Goodwin.