Shutthe Backdoor clocked the fastest time in the semi-finals of the Gain Select Stakes over 525 yards at Waterford on Saturday.
Brendan Matthews’ runner, who came into the vent as one of the three invited runners, flew out of trap one and was soon holding a clear lead over Crossfield Max.
2014 St Leger winner Paradise Silva made giant strides towards the leader in the second part of the race but failed by three quarters of a length to catch the leader who scored in 28.30sec.
Tynwald Rodney, the Mulvaney Memorial 600 runner-up landed the second semi-final.
Last year’s English Derby third Cronins Champ led to the third urn but was passed by Juvenile Derby runner-up Hee Haws Sheriff who went clear but appeared to cramp on the run-in.
This left Peter Cronin’s Tynwald Rodney to come through and beat Lemon Miley by half a length in 28.50sec, with Hee Haws Sheriff hanging on for third.
Draw for Saturday’s Final:
1 Shutthe Backdoor
2 Lemon Miley
3 Paradise Silva
4 Hee Haws Sheriff
5 Tynwald Rodney
6 Go Dex Go
