One of two Darren McDonald chasers to win through to the group two climax, Timberland set the track alight with a slick 25.10sec victory, the quickest of the seven heats.

However, he will have to overcome a tricky alley in the final after drawing box five last night.

Owner and former co-trainer by Colin Brennan was thrilled with his chaser's performance in what was his first start from inside box three.

"He has always had ability, but we were hoping for something special tonight because he had the red box (one),'' Brennan said moments after the victory.

"He has improved on his personal best (25.28sec) dramatically so I couldn't be happier."

McDonald, who has only had Timberland in his Cranbourne kennel for a handful of starts, will also be represented by Rev Limiter in the final following his impressive 25.26sec win in heat four. The heavily-

backed son of Collision upstaged highly-fancied kennelmate Silent Guardian in the race.

The Andrea, Tom and George Dailly training partnership at Anakie will also have two runners in the final after Melbourne Cup and National Sprint Championship runner-up Dyna Lachlan (25.29sec) and Manuel Bale (25.35sec) won respective heats one and three.

The second quickest run of the heats was produced by the John Maple-trained Galba Jack, who speared to the front from box four to win heat two in 25.16sec.

Jim Psaila-trained Our Toyman produced an eye-catching run home to narrowly win heat five in 25.32sec, while Pure Taste snuck home in the last of the heats in 25.54sec.

Darren Cairns-trained Bombastic Blade was the quickest of the second placegetters, earning him a berth in the final, while fellow runner-ups Birthday Boy and Remo Rubik are the two reserves.

Connections of next Wednesday's winner will receive $30,000.