Fast time for Prompt Return on Gold Coast

Smart short course horse Prompt Return has had people searching the record books after running a slashing time for his last 600m in the Bat Out of Hell (900m) on the Gold Coast.

Prompt Return ($3) claimed the title as Queensland’s best short course horse when he beat the favourite Hidden Pearl ($2.90) by 1-1/4 lengths on Saturday.

The Bat Out of Hell draws the fastest short course horses from across the state and Prompt Return made sure he would be remembered among the best.

He ran 49.86 seconds for the trip, which was just outside the course record of 49.66.

But his last 600m in 31.97 was believed to be a record after long-time course race caller Steve Hawkins said the nearest he could find was 32.45 run by Any Suggestion a decade ago.

Trainer Toby Edmonds was far from surprised when Prompt Return came from off the pace to swamp the field in the final 200m.

“He is unbeaten at 900m and that is his best distance around 1000m. If the pace is on he can finish hard, as you saw today,” Edmonds said.

Prompt Return will press on to the shorter stakes races in the winter, with his grand final likely to be the Listed Queensland Lightning (1000m) on June 3.

“It is just the right type of race for him where they go really quickly early,” Edmonds said.

Hidden Pearl will also progress on to the Lightning after her fighting second.

“It was a brave effort under her big weight,” jockey Brad Pengelly said.