The Great Chase Semi-Finals promised a night of elite racing and they delivered in spectacular fashion.
Whiskey Whiskers was the standout, producing a sensational performance to record the ninth-fastest time at The Meadows this year.
The son of Hooked On Scotch and Super Tora, in just his eighth career start, stopped the clock at 29.61 seconds over the 525 metres.
His rise is even more remarkable considering he spent four months on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder in a fall during the Pink Diamond Maiden Sprinter at Geelong.
He returned in style, winning first-up at Geelong in Best of Night time (25.67 seconds) over 460 metres.
Trained by Jeff Britton, Whiskey Whiskers will launch from box two in Saturday night’s Group 3 Great Chase Final.
Whiskey Whiskers wins from box one.
Not far behind in brilliance was Coolabah Station, prepared by Anthony Azzopardi.
Beginning brilliantly from box six in the third semi-final, he went 5.07 early and powered to a sharp 29.66 second victory, comfortably holding off pre-race favourite Weblec Billy.
Coolabah Station will again don the green rug (box six) in the Final.
Coolabah Station wins from box six.
Lightning Speed, for trainer Brendan Pursell, made full use of the red alley in his semi-final.
He exploded to the front and, despite tiring late, clung on to win by a whisker – just 0.01 of a length – in 30.14 seconds.
Lightning Speed holds on from box one.
Runner-up Morning Boss, trained by David Burnett, lost no admirers with his powerful finish.
Burnett is no stranger to Great Chase glory, famously winning the 2019 edition with champion Simon Told Helen, who held off littermate Who Told Stevie, also from his kennel.
The opening semi-final went to Weblec Snoop, another Jeff Britton-trained contender, who showcased strength to wear down pace-setter Shima Seal in the closing stages.
Weblec Snoop runs down Shima Seal from box six.
Group 3 Great Chase
1 | Weblec Snoop – Jeff Britton
2 | Whiskey Whiskers – Jeff Britton
3 | Lightning Speed – Brendan Pursell
4 | Morning Boss – David Burnett
5 | Weblec Billy – Jeff Britton
6 | Coolabah Station – Anthony Azzopardi
7 | Shima Seal – Jack Osborne
8 | Treble Beers – Brendan Pursell
Reserves
9 | Zap Devere – Daniel Pell
10 | Cheeky Chompers – David McKenzie
