ALASKAN DAWN was again quickest in the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Kent St Leger at Crayford on Saturday as Heather Dimmock’s dog produced another show of pace and power to win the third semi of the GBGB Category One event.

The odds-on favourite, Alaskan Dawn led down the back first time and stretched his field out before holding the staying-on Mays Sabbath (Patrick Janssens) to win by one and a quarter lengths in 45.24sec (normal) for the 714m trip.

Bo Shine Bullet maintained her unbeaten record in the two-lap competition to join that pair in Saturday’s final when running out a comfortable winner of the first semi, leading early before crossing the line almost six lengths clear of Droopys Dial (Julie Luckhurst) in 45.27sec.

Trained by Mark Wallis for The Bruiser Boyz syndicate, part-owner Billy Boyle was delighted to see the January 2019 daughter of Kinloch Brae and Fear Emoski reach her third GBGB Category One final.

He said: “We’re so proud of Bo Shine making her third straight Cat One final in six months and we’re hoping it’s third time lucky having made the finals of both the Golden Jacket and Yarmouth St Leger.

“Since arriving in the UK she’s been handled expertly by Imperial Kennels, winning eight of her ten starts, and prior to that by Garry Dempsey in Ireland.

“It’s a cracking final with Alaskan Dawn and Mays Sabbath her chief rivals, but Bo seems to run Crayford ever so well and glides round the tight circuit. We’re looking for an early paced angle and then hoping to keep Alaskan and Mays at bay.

“Best of luck to all the finalists – and let’s hope for a cracking spectacle,” added Boyle.

The second semi-final went to the Simon Harms-trained Deadly Do Lago, who caught the pace-setting Lemming Fly (Michelle Brown) rounding the seventh turn before racing away to win by almost four lengths from that rival. The winning time was 45.76sec.

Crayford racing manager Danny Rayment said: “Well done to all those who’ve made the Ladbrokes Kent St Leger Final. It’s one of our major Category One events of the year and good to see the Golden Jacket form has been upheld with Bo Shine Bullet making the final again.

“Of course we wish connections better luck this time round after her tumble in the Golden Jacket, although nothing will be straightforward in Saturday’s final. It’s a brilliant race and Alaskan Dawn and Deadly Do Lago won their semi-finals well.

“It’s great to have local representation with Julie’s (Luckhurst) Droopys Dial and well done to Michelle Brown with Lemming Fly – and remember Mays Sabbath posted the second fastest clock in the first round, so that semi-final with Alaskan Dawn looks top notch.

“Saturday should be another superb night of open-racing here. We also have the Ladbrokes Guys & Dolls final back here, as well as two other finals for the Kent Champion Hurdle and Kent Vase – as well as a host of other supporting opens.

“It promises to be a special night all-round as we also have a memorial race for Sarah Mullins. Allison Kelly-Pilgrim asked if we could put a race on for Sarah, which of course we were honoured to do, and have made this a £500 one-off.”

Trap draw for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Kent St Leger Final:- 1 Lemming Fly, 2 Alaskan Dawn, 3 Bo Shine Bullet, 4 Droopys Dial (m), 5 Deadly Do Lago (m), 6 Mays Sabbath (w).