Cop Magnet, the dog who just loves to race, became the fastest qualifier for the GBOTA's slot in the $1.145 million The Phoenix when he won his semi-final at Wentworth Park on Saturday night - while contesting his ninth race in four weeks.
The Andrew Bell-trained Cop Magnet led throughout for an easy win in the fourth semi-final, holding off a strong finish from Billy Creek and covering the 520m in 30.04, fastest time of the night on Saturday's heavy track.
Then, to top things off for Bell, Cop Magnet came up with box one in next Saturday night's Wentworth Park final.
After he drew box one with Cop Magnet, Bell said: "That box is ideal for him in a race like this.''
According to his trainer, Cop Magnet "goes off the boil'' if he has his racing spaced.
"He just thrives on hard work, he loves to race,'' Bell said.
In Saturday's other semi-finals Aston Barak defeated the desperately unlucky Good Odds Cash in 30.11, Special Blend defeated Chevy Royale in 30.16 and Vamos Penny ran down Crowdza Dazzled in 30.17.
Good Odds Cash was a certainty beaten and was responsible for the biggest run of the night.
After leaving box eight two or three lengths behind the field, Good Odds Cash was checked at the first turn and received another bump at the top of the straight just as she looked set to pull off an incredible win.
Good Odds Cash has drawn box eight again in next week's final, much to the chagrin of Frank Hurst, whose wife Tracey trains the talented sprinter.
"It is almost impossible to win from box eight in really top grade races at Wentworth Park,'' Hurst said.
"Dogs can get away with it in lower grades but against group class dogs it is extremely difficult.
"I don't believe dogs in box eight can even hear the lure approaching because the other dogs are barking their heads off and there is so much noise inside them.
"We wanted Good Odds Cash in one, two or three in the final, even box five would have been fine, but she has the job ahead after getting box eight again.''
Vamos Penny's trainer Kerry Drynan was happy with box three and agreed with Hurst's comments.
"Vamos Penny won tonight from box eight but it would have been a lot harder in the final," Drynan said after Saturday's heat win.
"Normally I don't like Vamos Penny being drawn inside but in a race like this I'm happy seeing her in box three.''
Special Blend's win completed an upbeat week for owner-trainer Ashley Dwyer, who received happy news on his recent treatment for cancer only 24 hours before Saturday's race.
"I had been awaiting test results and it seems the cancer I had has cleared up, so Special Blend getting through to the Wenty Phoenix qualifying final has put the icing on the cake,'' Dwyer said.
"Suaalii helped my dog Special Blend when he led but ran wide at the first turn, but then he did my bloke no favours when he hampered him as he was making his run on the far turn.
"I was hoping for box one, two or three in the final, so am a bit disappointed Special Blend has drawn box six.''
Box draw for Saturday night's Wentworth Park Flight To The Phoenix final, with the winner off the Melbourne for the $750,000 to the winner grand final at The Meadows on December 18, is 1 Cop Magnet 2 Crowdza Dazzled 3 Vamos Penny 4 Billy Creek 5 Aston Barak 6 Special Blend 7 Chevy Royale 8 Good Odds Cash reserves 9 Mr Ticket 10 My Boy Rockin'.
