SPACE JET was quickest of three semi-final winners of the Arena Racing Company St Leger at Perry Barr on Thursday with Matt Dartnall’s powerful two-year-old finishing best in the second semi-final of the stayers’ Classic at the Birmingham venue.

The Feb 2019 daughter of Droopys Jet and Volcano was again slowly away but weaved her way through powerfully before hitting the front on the run for home to score by one and a half lengths from Antigua Mememe (Mark Wallis) in 42.76sec (+15).

Second in her only Irish start at Clonmel, Space Jet made her debut for Dartnall at Central Park in July before opening her account at the third time of asking back at the Kent venue over 642m. She then won at Nottingham before heading to Perry Barr.

Space Jet will be joined in Thursday’s £10,000 final over 710m by her older half-sister Savana Volcano given the Dorando Marathon champion, another stamina-laden performer, finished well behind third semi-final winner Night Time Danny.

The Stephen Rayner-owned and trained runner, fastest in the heats the previous week, again produced the goods as a fast start saw the November 2018 son of Sh Avatar and Nom De Plume soon in control inside, riding a bump at the turn before going on.

Keeping up the gallop throughout, Night Time Danny crossed the line three and three-quarter lengths clear of Diane Henry’s runner in 42.78se (+15).

Earlier, the first semi-final went the way of the Mark Wallis-trained Blueberry Bullet who posted the fastest calculated time of the St Leger semis given a 42.81sec (normal) return as the August 2019 daughter of Confident Rankin and Cabra Twister made virtually all.

Posting a fastest 16.37sec split, Blueberry Bullet never looked in trouble as the youngest finalist roared into Thursday’s decider when racing away to win by six-and-three-quarter lengths from the Chris Fereday-trained Monmore raider Guiri Steve.

Victory for Blueberry Bullet, however, will give Imperial Kennels a second chance of St Leger this year after Antigua Mememe also later qualified – 11-time champion trainer Wallis has five St Leger successes on his CV.

Perry Barr racing manager Martin Seal oversaw the night’s action with heats of the Arena Racing Company Puppy Stake and Arena Racing Company Dash supporting the GBGB Category One double-header of St Leger and M Lambe Birmingham Cup.

He said: “Overall it was a great night’s racing and we’re all set for a fantastic finals’ night here next Thursday.

“Semi-final night tends to see the cream rise and those with genuine aspirations of landing a Category One title stepped up to the plate in no uncertain terms to give themselves a shot at the big-time, which is great for the connections involved.

“Starting with the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory of Michael Lambe Senior, the Scottish raider Duke De Janerio remains unbeaten in the event and looks a real factor in the final, as does reigning Laurels champ Havana Class.

“He reminded us all what he’s capable of, while Forest Gold laid down a serious marker for outright honours.

“In the Arena Racing Company St Leger, Blueberry Bullet gave her rivals a running lesson before stamina-laden Space Jet mowed down the opposition with a storming finish. Then heavyweight Night Time Danny left nobody in any doubt that he’s the real deal.

“On the undercard, the pups Droopys Starlet and Trumps Benefit once again showed themselves to be very bright prospects and should have connections dreaming of success in the major competitions next year.

“It was also great to see another precocious talent in the January 20 whelp Crossfield Dusty giving Horseshoe Ping’s 2007 sprint clock a real rattle, recording the second fastest time ever over our 275m trip when winning his heat of the Dash.”

Trap draw for Thursday’s Arc St Leger Final: 1 Guiri Steve, 2 Blueberry Bullet, 3 Space Jet, 4 Night Time Danny, 5 Antigua Mememe (m), 6 Savana Volcano (w).

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=377642&raceId=776302