The semi-finals last week didn’t disappoint.

With the best 32, plus reserves, progressing from the heats to the semi-finals, and then the first two from each of the semis moving to the final we find a field, that on times, is only separated by about four lengths. 

David Geall (Lara) holds all the aces at the moment with Fernando Drums, the only undefeated greyhound from the series so far, jumping from box two after drawing wide earlier in the series. 

His other runner, and litter mate, Emerald Rainbow has been drawn a reserve, however,  two of the drawn runners won’t take their place on the track on Tuesday. 

Emerald Rainbow was unlucky last week and narrowly missed automatic qualification and both of Geall’s runners appear to have a class edge over their rivals. 

The final is worth $7500 to the winner, and should Fernando Drums win, it would take his earnings to over $10,000 from his three starts.

Vic Millington has been a regular in this column, mainly due to his incredible run of second placings, but last Tuesday Starbright Vic cracked it for a win in a heat of the Mixed 6/7 over the 485m. 

He has been shown no favours however at the box draw being chosen to jump from box six and will need to get away cleanly and avoid early trouble to hopefully display his powerful finishing burst that was evident in the heats. 

Millington has been struggling of late to get his star greyhound, Solar Mocha, free of niggling injuries and weight issues but on the back of an encouraging trial at Horsham a couple of weeks ago he threw the son of Vee Man Vane into the Ballarat Cup Heats on Saturday night. 

While being the despised outsider in his heat, Solar Mocha performed admirably after a slow getaway to wind up fifth and only nine lengths from superstar Big Flood. 

Warracknabeal’s Shayne Fisher lined up a first starter in Jaggered Edge in race nine over the 410m and from box five appeared to blow his chances with a tardy start. 

However, gaps appeared and he looked destined to run into third until switching off the heals of the leaders and coming home two to their one to win comfortably. 

He may be one to follow over the next few weeks.

And in what is a testament to the new Horsham track and its design that gives all greyhounds a chance, race 12 which was completed over 410m finished with all eight greyhounds within 2.5 lengths of the winner which is almost unheard of.

Race one on Tuesday will kick off at 3.47pm. Come along and enjoy a fun day out.