Levitation Sets Frantic Sapphire Crown Pace

WOW She's Fast continued her march towards $1m in prize money however it was kennelmate Levitation who took the time honours on Friday night's group 1 Sapphire Crown heats.

After an unsuccessful Sydney campaign, Wow She's Fast was expected to easily win her heat being sent to the boxes a $1.20 chance, however favourite backers would have had their hearts in their mouths after she was last to leave the boxes.

Finding the fence through the first turn, Wow She's Fast improved quickly and when a gap opened down the back straight, she swept past Vayda Bale to take the lead and power to a 4½ length win in 29.19.

Box draws are complete for next Thursday's G1 Harrison-Dawson and G1 Sapphire Crown!@RSN927 Sandown Cup night is going to be big.

Be there | https://t.co/QFvRwu9OhK pic.twitter.com/cxetLtUBRL

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) May 13, 2022

Two races later, Levitation's love affair with Sandown Park went to a new level with the daughter of Fernando Bale and Elevated clocking a seven-length 29.07.

Entering the race, Levitation had had 17 of 19 career starts at the View Road circuit, building a 5-6-3 record.

Despite her impressive Sandown record, Levitation was sent to the boxes a $6.10 chance before making light work of her rivals, pinging the boxes to lead all of the way to qualify for her second group race final.

The other Sapphire Crown heats were taken out by National Futurity winner Idolize, Australian Cup finalist Immunity, and veteran Devel Sixteen.

Earlier in the night, the Rapaki Rocks set the time standard in the group 1 Harrison-Dawson heats.

The litter brother to boom sprinter Big Opal Rocks, Rapaki Rocks showed he's a serious talent in his own right with a powerful victory in 29.24.

In a very similar run to Wow She's Fast, Rapaki Rocks was only fairly away before railing through to take the lead down the back and earn his place in Thursday night's final.

The strut after a best on ground performance! ?

Levitation absolutely stunning, 29.05. Her and Wow She's Fast through for the Greenough's – fair duo ? pic.twitter.com/7s2A09Noby

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) May 13, 2022

Rapaki Rocks opened a $3.50 equal favourite in the final after drawing box two and shares favouritism with Titan Blazer which won a thrilling encounter over Equalizer and Amron Boy in 29.51 with just half-a-length separating the three on the line.

Other heat winners were Fearless Max, Bang and King Of Calypso.

The Sapphire Crown and Harrison-Dawson finals – each carrying a $100,000 first prize – will be run on Thursday evening along with the $175,000-to-the winner group 1 Sandown Cup over 715m.