Josh Formosa and Korie Heinrich continued their remarkable run of success at Sandown Park on Thursday night, qualifying three greyhounds for the Victorian National Sprint Final and another for the Victorian National Distance Final.

Leading the charge was Retaliation, who produced the performance of the night with a commanding all-the-way victory in 29.20 seconds – the fastest time across the National Sprint (515m) heats.

The explosive chaser pinged the lids, clocking a scorching 4.97-second first split before never looking in danger.

It was another performance that underlined the talent Retaliation showcased at Wentworth Park last month, where he set the track alight in a heat of the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic before luck deserted him in the final.

Retaliation has drawn box five for Thursday night’s Victorian National Sprint Final, with the winner progressing to the Group 1 National Sprint Final at Sandown Park later this month.

Formosa and Heinrich’s depth was again on show, with Zelda Covilah also booking her place in the final after a slick 29.62-second victory from box one.

Their recent Group 1 Maturity Classic winner Indy Melmen was desperately unlucky not to add another victory to his résumé, going down by the narrowest of margins to Cleo’s Star.

The rivalry between Wrongly Accused and Off The Chart delivered another thrilling chapter in the final Sprint heat.

Just a week after their epic clash at Sandown Park, Off The Chart again produced his trademark early speed to lead for virtually the entire journey, only for Wrongly Accused to launch late and reel him in on the line.

Wrongly Accused’s 29.22-second victory was the second-fastest run of the night and continued his recent run of success over the Golden Easter Egg winner.

The pair will renew hostilities in Thursday night’s Victorian final, with Wrongly Accused drawing box six and Off The Chart to jump from box three.

Another heat produced one of the night’s most entertaining contests, with On The Prowl mowing down Storm Hustler, who is known for his strength. 

They qualified in 29.43 and 29.45 seconds respectively, with Storm Hustler drawing the coveted box one for the final.

On The Prowl (7) runs down Storm Hustler (5). 

In the National Distance (715m), star stayer Without A Trace booked her place in the Victorian final despite finishing fourth behind fastest qualifier In Moderation.

In Moderation produced a powerful finishing burst to run down Paw Lovisa, stopping the clock in 41.91 seconds.

Espoir claimed the second Distance heat for trainer Brad Fitton in 42.14 seconds.

Victoria’s National Sprint and Distance champions will be crowned at Sandown Park on Thursday night, with both winners advancing to the Group 1 National Finals at the same venue later this month.