I only ever saw pure-bred Saluki's coursing once, that was at the Millennium Cup/Greyhound 2000, and I was actually surprised how quick and nimble they were - not just endurance merchants. I've watched Saluki blooded lurchers course many times and the really good ones made hare coursing look unfair. They had it all - high prey drive, blistering acceleration and bags of stamina. I never enjoyed watching a hare being worn down to a jog - not my cup of tea, but fair play to the dogs.
I would agree with Rake-about, I knew some very good dog-men who could get a Bedlington Greyhounds to do whatever they wanted, but the Saluki-bred dogs could take it or leave it - sometimes brilliant, sometimes totally nonchalant.