Air Force Honcho swoops to conquer
Air Force Honcho came from some way back to land the opening semi-final by the minimum margin.
King Okee took a flyer here. He was chased by Orange Squash early on before Emmas Mark took over as his main pursuer.
The order remained the same down the back straight before Dog Almighty moved up ominously at the fifth bend. But he couldn't sustain his challenge as Air Force Honcho, a poor fifth at the fourth bend, arrived on the scene.
He made progress on the rails between the last two bends and then switched wide before the final turn to come with a sweeping run down the outside to collar King Okee on the line for a short head success in 41.98.
Air Force Honcho was yet another winner on the night for top handler Paul Hennessy, who also has a four-timer at Shelbourne Park.
Meanwhile Seabiscuit comprehensively overturned first round running with Hulkster in the second semi-final.
Westmead Rumble was best away here and led around the first couple of bends but Westmead Natalie had taken over passing the winning line for the first time.
Seabiscuit had improved into second by the fourth bend and, having tracked the pacemaker down the back straight, challenged and led before the last bend. The Brendan Murphy trained Seabiscuit then stayed on resolutely up the straight to see off the staying on Hulkster by a length and a half in 41.97.
: 1 King Okee, 2 Emmas Mark, 3 Westmead Rumble, 4 Seabiscuit, 5 Air Force Honcho, 6 Hulkster (w).
