Kihael Kaluna is likely to start favourite in next weekend's Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden after the Kim Hyde-trained greyhound took out his semi final in dominant style at Wentworth Park on Friday night.
Having set the fastest time in the Magic Maiden heats, Kihael Kaluna also set the time standard in the semi finals, stopping the clock in 29.75.
Jumping from box five, Kihael Kaluna ($1.80) went straight to the front and was never headed, winning by four 1/4 lengths over Aqua Phoenix with Zipping Nora more than six lengths further adrift in third.
The son of Oaks Road is in line to give Hyde, who is based in Lidsdale, one of the biggest wins of her training career and will jump from box six in Saturday's final.
Meanwhile, Black Bear Lee ($2.50) showed the maturity of a seasoned veteran rather than a greyhound who has only had three starts, when he took out his semi final in 29.88.
Jumping from box eight, the Ruth Matic-trained son of Brett Lee, crossed effortlessly and led all the way to beat Nit Noi by four lengths.
Black Bear Lee will jump from box five in the Magic Maiden final.
Other semi final winners were the Melinda Finn-trained Down Every Road who won in 29.88 and the John Ayoub-trained Dear Darcey, who took out his event in 29.89.
The box draw for the Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden final is: 1. Dear Darcey 2. Aqua Phoenix 3. Zipping Meg 4. Kevro 5. Black Bear Lee 6. Kihael Kaluna 7. Down Every Road 8. Nit Noi 9. Zipping Keith 10. Privacy
