Three-time track record holder Unleash Collinda continued his outstanding form by taking out the Sportsbet Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter heat (450m) at Shepparton in a smart time of 25.094 seconds.
The inaugural winner of The Emerald (300m) was part of a Jason Thompson treble at the meeting.
Minister Mentor dominated his rivals in the first heat of the Sportsbet Pink Diamond Rookie Distance (650m) and Got Attitude prevailed in the opening qualifier of the Sportsbet Pink Diamond Rookie Sprinter (450m).
Group 3 winner Hector Fawley atoned for an unlucky effort at Albion Park the Thursday night prior by taking out the first heat of the Sportsbet Pink Diamond Champion Distance (650m) in a scorching 37.086 seconds for Lisa Cockerell.
The John Galea-trained Pick Star produced a best-of-meeting run (21.65 seconds) in the first heat of the Sportsbet Pink Diamond Rookie Short Course heat (385m).
Silver Brute has the opportunity to secure back-to-back victories in the Sportsbet Pink Diamond Champion Short Course after a breathtaking heat triumph at Ballarat.
The Gary Peach-trained speedster notched the 40th win of his 63-start career in a scintillating 21.866 seconds over the 390-metre trip and accounted for Group 2 placegetter Matt’s Hope and Group 2 winner Lektra Heckler.
WATCH: SILVER BRUTE (Box 4) was too quick for his rivals in the second heat of the Sportsbet Pink Diamond Champion Short Course (390m) at Ballarat.
Untapped – last year’s winner of the Group 1 Sandown Cup Final (715m) for Dustin Drew – called on all of her champion qualities to outstay Sunnyside Zeus in the second heat of the Sportsbet Pink Diamond Champion Distance (660m).
The Kelly Bravo-trained Paddy Wants Pats showed why he was a runner-up in last year’s Group 1 Australian Cup Final (525m) by surprising Group 2 finalist Shima Shadow (runner-up) and two-time country cup champion Mobile Legend (fourth) by taking out the second heat of the Sportsbet Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter (450m).
