MARK WALLIS has four finalists through to Sunday’s Arena Racing Company Silver Salver Final at Central Park after Quarteira led home Gougane Jet, the GBGB Sprinter of the Year, in the first semi-final of the Category One annual.

With Ballyard Shawny and Coolavanny Finn then chasing home Irish hotpot Flashing Willow (pictured) in the second semi-final, 13-time champion trainer Wallis is well represented heading into the weekend’s £12,500-to-the-winner decider at the Kent track.

“I was delighted with all our team,” he said. “Quarteira is a lovely new edition to the MWD Partnership team. He made his debut for us in the heats, has blistering early pace, and would be a big danger to our own Gougane Jet and Flashing Willow if he breaks.

“Ballyard Shawny is more of a short four-bend dog with wins at Romford and Oxford but had made the final at Central Park on merit and would need no second invitation if the principals were to falter.

“Gougane Jet needs no introduction and our 2022 Sprinter of the Year is a dog for the big occasion. The draw in trap three is perfect but only his best will do to win this hot final.

“Coolavanny Finn is still a relatively young dog and has done well to reach the final. He’ll need to absolutely ping to have any chance but is certainly capable and remains open to improvement.”

Quarteira had started the ball rolling for Wallis in the first semi-final.

Pacing up well, he joined fast-starting kennelmate Gougane Jet at the bend and, taking the inside line and bumping his rival aside, went on for a two and a half lengths win in 16.37sec (-10). The Dan Brabon-trained Dower Joe finished third to make it into the final.

Flashing Willow then set the standard when clocking 16.19sec (-10) in the second semi-final as the Pat Buckley-trained Irish star bolted into the bend to lead and race away for a two and three-quarter lengths win over the Mark Wallis-trained pair of Ballyard Shawny and Coolavanny Finn.

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=397727&raceId=943426