The track may well have been running fast, as stated on the result sheet but the win time of 23.43 seconds that Crossfield Sofia registered in her A5 race last Thursday caught my attention.

Compared to the win time in a later A3 race of 23.74, her time certainly looks good enough to me to suggest that she will win again in a grade higher.

Both of these winners had a trap-to-line, trouble free run so we must trust the clock and give her a vote of confidence for her next outing.

Greyhounds have an amusing habit of surprising their owners and I had a classic case a fortnight ago when the owner of Fitz Peggy was explaining to me before the race how his dog could not lead or win. She proved him wrong on both counts as she flew out of the traps in front and held on for the victory.

Five minutes later, I presented the owner with the trophy that his dog had won him and he was naturally pleased although still somewhat baffled at the dog’s performance.

That race was an S6 event over 540m and she continues to surprise having followed that up with another win this time over 380m at odds of 6-1. I hope he backed her. Will she go on now and make it a three timer? Every chance in my books.

My unlucky losers from last week were Café Boho, Greenfield Jamie and Kauri Blue. All three dogs ran on to finish second after slow starts and are certainly worth a close look when they run next. Boho has had previous race experience at Peterborough and having had three races in grade A5 here he was subsequently dropped down to A6 level in which he looked more at home.

Coming out of the traps in last position last week did not help his cause but the dog showed determination around the first two bends to get into second place and ran on gamely to lose by just a couple of lengths.

Jamie failed to win by just a short head last Friday night and at a starting price of 7-1, would on paper have been a surprise winner. The price in hindsight looked too big for a dog who is obviously still improving having risen from grade A8 up to A5.

Kauri Blue is one of our best hurdlers at the stadium. His followers will be looking for some early compensation after starting at even money favourite at the weekend only to be beaten. Expect a big run this week.