An enormous night of racing awaits us Saturday evening at The Meadows as four semi - finals of The Australian Cup will be run and won. All four Semi's are jam packed with talent and finding a winner won't be easy as some of Australia's best chasers come together to find a spot in the Group One final next week worth $300,000 to the winner. Previous winners include Dyna Patty, Tommy Shelby and last years surprise winner Fernando Mick.

Semi Final One - Race 5 @ 7.59pm(AEST) 

A jam packed first semi final with numerous chances. American Queen was good here last week when winning her heat surprisingly running down talented Jason Thompson trained Umberto. Alpha Zulu was very good when from the outside box ran a gallant second to rising star Explicit in the Group One Temlee. With all that said our on top selection is the Jason Sharp trained Morton.

The recent Gold Bullion winner at Albion Park has been in fine form and has enough speed to see him well placed at the first turn. Sadly missed the kick here last week in The Temlee and is much better boxed for this and has a flying personal best here of 29.55. A time that none of his rivals have run. Should be noted this is the first time he has drawn any better than box 4 at all his Meadow starts. Will not know himself from such a good draw. 

Selection - Box Two Morton @ $2.60 Fixed Odds with Sportsbet

Semi Final Two - Race 6 @8.23pm(AEST)

Probably the most dangerous of the four semis as many of the runners here have explosive early speed. With all that in mind it may be a case of who finds the lead at the first turn that leads to victory. Tim Zoo returned to form last week winning his heat from box 3 in 29.94. He was workman like after finding the fence from a moderate beginning.

It was a nice run after two past failures however he really failed to run time which is the concern.Pass The Buck extended his record to 11 wins from 16 starts last start but the time was dissapointing as he only ran 30.06, however his early box speed may see him lead here .

 Shima Current the son of Shima Shine is absolutely flying winning two on end and all his blistering early speed last week seen him lead and win in a very respectable 29.70. Has drawn box 2 in his last three starts and has to contend with moving out to box 4 in the semi.However his 5.05 early split is in gratified air along with the likes of Explicit. And that alone sees him as the dog to beat in this semi final.

Selection - Box 4 Shima Current @ $4.60 Fixed Odds with Sportsbet

Semi Final Three - Race 7 @8.47pm(AEST)

Of all the semi finals semi three appears perhaps the easiest on paper. Of all the heat winners from last week only one winner appears here in no other than talented young superstar Explicit trained by Jason Thompson. The remainder of the field is filled with placegetters from last weeks heats none of which really ran outstanding time. Of the beaten brigade Launch Code perhaps will be suited by a better draw having drawn box one. And Here Comes Milli for Des Douch can no doubt show some early speed along with other noted speedster Isle's Entity.

No matter how you look at this semi it all comes back to Explicit the son of Bernardo. From a meagre 13 starts he has won 11 and been placed second on two other occasions. He is without doubt the most impeccable youngster the world of greyhound racing has seen in Australia for some time. With a personal best of 29.63 which he ran here last week the time speaks for itself. He has over 4 lengths advantage based on time against any of his rivals.

He also moves from box six after his heat win last week to an incredibly soft draw in box two and very little speed drawn either side of him. That's without even taking into in consideration that he has the ability to run mind boggling first splits here of five seconds flat which in general will see you lead most races with those type of splits. The price might be narrow, but as astute punters will tell you it's better to back a winner than a loser. 

Selection - Box 2 Explicit @ $1.60 @ Fixed Odds with Sportsbet

Semi Final Four - Race 8 @9.07pm(AEST)

Semi final number four has assembled a field that would honestly be good enough to be declared a final. Genuinely five of the eight greyhounds have a real chance of winning this semi and sadly some very talented greyhounds will miss out on the final. Umberto led up here last week off box 8 and led a merry dance only to be surprisingly run down by American Queen. He moves in five boxes from last week to box three and must be watched. 

Cain Bale jumps from box four and is in career best form having won his last five on end. His run of 29.59 last week cannot be ignored and he will be punching in this like a winner for a long way. His form has a particular feel of Wheeler bred Yachi Bale who won The Melbourne Cup last year. He also has form over the 595 metres at Sandown so he will run the 525 metres out strongly.

Hector Fawley trained by Lisa Cockerall is simply one of the most versatile and talented chasers in Victoria. His career to date has seen him compete against the best ranging from 400 to 700 metres. His heat win last week was run in a eye boggling 29.54 best of night and the son of Bernardo only has to land close to the leaders to give himself any chance.

His ability to run blistering run home times is duly noted. He jumps from the same box he had last week and although probably more seasoned to 600 metre racing now his 19 career wins and near $400,000 in prize money clearly mark his capabilities. He is our on top selection. 

Selection - Box Five Hector Fawley @ $3.10 Fixed Odds with Sportsbet

A great night of racing awaits and without doubt after Saturday nights Semi Finals we should see a spectacular field assembled for the final.