Black Opium Set For Sapphire Onslaught

BLACK Opium, the darling of Australian greyhound racing, has been installed a raging $1.80 favourite for next Thursday's Group 1 Sapphire Crown Final (515m).

The four time group 1 runner-up was sublime at Sandown Park on Thursday night, cruising into next week's $50,000 to-the-winner finale with a slashing 29.20 heat victory.

Extending her breathtaking career record to 24 wins from 48 appearances, the daughter of Black Magic Opal will exit box four in next week's decider, where connections will be eyeing off an elusive and much deserved group 1 triumph.

Black Opium is one of two finalists trainer Jason Thompson will line-up in next week's finale after National Futurity finalist Aston Silk qualified with a second to Spring Fair in heat four.

Spring Fair, a dominant 29.64 heat winner for Anthony Azzopardi, has drawn box three, while her kennelmate Nangar Diva will exit box seven, qualifying with a second to Talulah Bale in heat one.

Trained by Heather Collins, the family winning the Sapphire Crown with Lamia Bale in 2015, Talulah Bale will exit box eight in next week's finale following her powerhouse 29.52 heat win.

The second heat was taken out by Madalia Maggie in 29.41, the daughter of Banjo Boy scoring over Chart Topper for Robin Moore.

Early TAB markets see Black Opium a firm $1.80 favourite for next week's decider ahead of Madalia Maggie at $5.50 and Spring Fair at $6.50.