Colac Kid has stormed into the Sportsbet Cranbourne Cup with a career-best performance, leading all the way in a personal best 29.04 seconds – more than four lengths faster than he has ever run before.

Colac Kid repeated his trademark early speed in the third heat, going 4.99 early and never headed, with Canya Mayhem finishing second. Pre-race favourites Vincent Bale and Bagman found trouble early and were unable to feature.

The Cranbourne Cup marks Colac Kid’s fourth crack at Group race glory, having recently returned from South Australia where he contested the Group 1 Adelaide Cup, finishing sixth.

Colac Kid (3) was faultless stopping the clock in 29.03 seconds over Canya Mayhem (5).

Ethanol Secret kicked off proceedings with a perfect rails run from box one, stopping the clock at 29.27. He was forced to dig deep to hold off Bendigo Cup winner Dr. Asher, who was enormous in defeat.

Ethanol Secret (1) wins the opening Sportsbet Cranbourne Cup heat from Dr Asher (6).

Nigel Devere produced a stunning late come-again surge to snatch victory in the second heat, edging Paw Ike in a thriller clocking 29.25 seconds.

Nigel Devere (2) leads all the way in the second Sportsbet Cranbourne Cup heat over Paw Ike (5).

Mepunga Tully returned to the winner’s circle with a determined victory in heat four, holding off Paw Fabian in 29.61. It was a welcome return for the former Group 1 star after a long injury layoff.

Mepunga Tully (1) wins heat four of the Cranbourne Cup in a time of 29.61 seconds over Paw Fabian (2).

Tribeca claimed the final heat in all-the-way fashion from box four, fending off a fast-finishing Flying Zulu to seal his place in next week’s final.

Tribeca (4) wins the final heat in a time of 29.16 seconds over Flying Zulu (3).