Outside Pass (pictured), Queensland's sole nomination for the 2016 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg, not only scored a boilover win but posted fastest time of Saturday night's 10 heats at Wentworth Park.
Despite being among the least experienced greyhounds in the series, the Tony Apap-trained greyhound took the lead in the middle stages before bolting away to win by over six lengths in 29.63.
Other heat winners on Saturday night were Nangar Flash, from NSW, in 29.66, Duna Runa (NSW, 29.69), Shared Equity (Victoria, 29.73), Snakebite Bale (Victoria, 29.74), Mitcharlie Mia (NSW, 29.83), Marley Bale (Victoria, 29.83), Bearville Azza (Victoria, 29.96), Black Bear Lee (NSW, 29.98) and Both Sides Now (Victoria, 30.14).
Favoured runners who missed a place in the semi finals included local aces Bessy Boo and Zambora Brockie, Group 1 Temlee victor Dalgetty, Hobart Thousand winner Above All and Australian Cup finalist Aston Bolero.
Apart from the elimination of those big names, the surprises of the night came when Nangar Flash, Duna Runa and Snakebite Bale, usually slow starters, jumped no worse than second before winning in fast times.
The Dennis Barnes-trained Nangar Flash trailed National Derby winner Magic Spring until the half-way mark before grabbing the lead approaching the home bend.
Notoriously tardy beginner Snakebite Bale, one of a winning double for Andrea Dailly, who landed the 2013 and 2015 Egg finals with Grigorieva Bale and Fernando Bale, was second early and hit the front approaching the home turn.
An even bigger shock was when the Jason MACKAY-trained Duna Runa, who had come from last to finish third to Mitcharlie Mia in the Richmond Oaks, led from start to finish in heat six.
Bought as a three month old puppy by Victorian owner Kris Dales, Duna Runa easily held out Richmond Derby winner Knight Sprite and National Futurity victor Cash In Motion.
"I usually gallop my team every day but she has been on the lead since Wednesday," MACKAY said after the win.
"I was hoping that by keeping her fresh she might slot in behind the expected pacemaker Black Frenzy in the early stages and could not believe my eyes when Duna Runa was out in front rounding the first bend."
Knight Sprite lost no admirers with his second to Duna Runa as he was hampered when attempting to rail underneath the tiring Camden Gossip in the middle stages.
While their champion Bessy Boo was a distant fourth in his heat, Londonderry trainers Christine and Alan Proctor landed two winners as caretaker trainers of the Angela Langton-trained Victorians Shared Equity and Both Sides Now.
"Angela and her partner, trainer Jeff Britton, are holidaying in Hong Kong so sent their greyhounds to us to be prepared for tonight," Alan Proctor said.
"Shared Equity was the most impressive when we trialled them at Wentworth Park a week ago, easily breaking the 14 second barrier for the second section, but he went even better tonight."
He did indeed, with Shared Equity beginning brilliantly for an all the way win, posting dazzling first and second splits of 5.34 and 13.79.
Crack Victorian trainer Jason Thompson missed out with Dalgetty and Aston Bolero but qualified for next week's semi-finals with runners-up Moreira and Invictus Rapid.
Moreira bungled the start before chasing home Marley Bale.
"He had box six tonight and if he draws near the rails in his semi-final Moreira is capable of clocking 29.50sec at Wentworth Park," Thompson said.
Team Dailly won with Marley Bale and Snakebite Bale and also secured semi-final berths with heat placegetters Amaro Bale, Dawkins Bale, Diego Bale and Elfen Bale.
"Marley Bale has been going better than ever in his recent Victorian races but considering it was Moreira sitting behind him coming to the home turn it was a good effort for our dog to hang on and win," trainer Andrea Dailly's husband Tom said.
"Amaro Bale was not quite himself this week and he might be able to improve a bit in his semi while Snakebite Bale has always been a fast dog but has never begun quickly previously."
Two of the stand-out performances came from the Northern Rivers-trained Richmond Oaks winner Mitcharlie Mia and triple group race victor Black Bear Lee.
Mitcharlie Mia led early but after being headed off by National Derby finalist Sleek Master came again to win comfortably.
Black Bear Lee's time was the second slowest of the night but the Ruth Matic-trained greyhound's win was outstanding.
Black Bear Lee blew the start from box eight but swept around several rivals to be fourth on the back straight and then stormed home from second at the top of the straight to run down tearaway leader Asa Killa Queen.
See you next week!
