HAWKFIELD OZARK landed another major prize when lifting the Coral Romford Standard Trophy at Romford on Friday – in runaway and near record-breaking style.

Sent to traps a red-hot favourite for a competition which supported the Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes Final on a big night at the Essex venue, the Patrick Janssens-trained, Connors family-owned runner was soon in charge in the £5,000 with a ping-start from the inside box.

Racing to a slick 3.70sec sectional and leading his rivals, headed by fast-starting Whitewood Lenny (Maxine Locke), into the turn, the January 2020 son of Laughil Blake and Brownstown Tango never really looked in danger as he raced away for a comfortable victory in the 400m feature.

Crossing the line six and three-quarter lengths clear of Aero Convey (Paul Young) and Chelms Gask (Gemma Evans), Hawkfield Ozark clocked a brilliant 23.31sec (+20) – just five spots off the brilliant Roxholme Nidge’s track record.

Victory in the GBGB Category Two decider added to Hawkfield Ozark’s Arc Laurels success at Perry Barr earlier this year, while a good year for the three-year-old has also included places in the final of both the Ladbrokes Winter Derby and Gold Cup respectively finishing behind class acts – Coolavanny Shado and Links Maverick.

In Ireland, Hawkfield Ozark won the Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk in 2022 which just underlines his overall class, said Romford racing manager Mark Arkell.

“He’s a top-class performer who just runs this track so well. He won all three rounds, including the final, pretty easily coming away from some good fields and regular winners here. His 23.47sec in the heats was pretty special – but 23.31sec in the final says it all. Less than a length off a very good clock.

“Well done to Patrick (Janssens) and his team and to all the winners on another fantastic night’s racing here on Friday. Hollow Man was also pretty faultless through the (Premier Greyhound Racing) Champion Stakes and he’s the new track record holder for 575m here, so you can see the quality we had in both events.

“We’re now looking forward to next week’s match race here between Paul Young’s Bubbly Inferno and Mark Wallis’s Ballymac Taylor. Connections of both are up for it – we’re up for it! – and hopefully the crowd will enjoy two of the best marathon performers around going head-to-head here over 925m.”

Arkell added: “Both sides are putting up £1,000, we have added £1,000, plus A1 Astro Turfs are putting up a £500 bonus – it’s winner-takes-all. It’s just come about because our 925m races were not filling and both sides feel it’s a good way to get a marathon race into their runners – and we were more than happy to host it!”