NEW DESTINY has her sights firmly set on a third Category One success after roaring into the final of the bet365 Challenge Cup at Oxford.

Mark Wallis’s runner held her line into the turn in the first semi and, holding off fast-starting Lively Lauren (Matt Dartnall), was soon clear and on her way to a runaway success in 39.28sec (-30), crossing the line six lengths in front of Gagas Merry (Robin Jury) who joins New Destiny in the weekend’s £10,000 final.

The winner now looks to add to victories in the Coral Coronation Cup and Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes, both at Romford.

Queen Georgia also looks for further Category One success in Saturday’s final after Sheffield’s Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory heroine overcame a second-bend stumble in the first semi to maintain her early advantage and race away for a four-length success over Cooladerry Dust (Nathan Hunt).

The winning time for Liz McNair’s star was 39.57sec (-45).

The second semi-final produced the best finish of the night as Jason Gornall’s Swift Giddy swooped late on the inside to land the spoils in a driving finish.

Coppice Ella (Kevin Hutton) had led early here but was collared down the back second round by Urlee Star (David Elcock) who went on, only for Swift Giddy to finish best for a three-quarters of a length victory. Less than two lengths separated the first four home, with Coppice Ella and Mad For Sterling (Mark Wallis) narrowly missing out.

The winning time for Swift Giddy was 39.65sec (-45).

Pat Cooney of bet365 is looking forward to Saturday’s £10,000 final, not least for the clash between New Destiny and Queen Georgia, the pair topping the market with the sponsors.

“It’s a great final after what has been a good competition,” said Cooney. “There’s some real class acts in the field, big-race winners with lots of speed over this trip – and actually the draw has made it even more interesting.

“New Destiny drawn outside Queen Georgia certainly opens it up because Mark’s (Wallis) bitch has been superb, as has Liz and Rab’s (McNair). You just wonder whether Cooladerry Dust might just be the best placed outside – Nathan’s (Hunt) dog has an ace draw as the only wide seed.

“It’s a busy period for us with the bet365 Puppy Oaks kicking off last weekend at Towcester and we’re all looking forward to finals’ night of that on (Saturday) December 21.

“Towcester have done a great job putting together a really good card with lots of sponsors and prize-money and it promises to be a good watch on Gone To The Dogs – Live!”

Trap draw for Saturday’s bet365 Challenge Cup Final: 1 Swift Giddy, 2 Urlee Star, 3 Queen Georgia, 4 New Destiny, 5 Gagas Merry (m), 6 Cooladerry Dust (w).