Reigning V75 Australasian Breeders Crown champion Divisive may have added four Derbies to his CV this season, but he hasn't got Jodi Quinlan running scared.
The pocket dynamo partners rising Victorian sensation Captain Kalahari who continues to emerge as a threat to the boom three-year-old's title defence later this month.
Captain Kalahari booked his spot in the Breeders Crown semi-finals on August 15 at Ballarat with a dazzling heat win yesterday afternoon at Yarra Valley.
Despite being unextended in the run to the line the giant three-year-old rated 1:57.7 for the 2150-metre trip - just 0.1 of a second outside Future Assets's track record.
"He's super isn't he", Quinlan reflected today. "I tell you now I wouldn't swap my drive for any, including Divisive, in the Breeders Crown."
"He only gets better as the road gets longer and I'm sure he's come back a better horse after that little break....I honestly don't know how good he'll be."
The prized three-year-old colts and geldings division was being touted as a showdown between Divisive and Queensland ace Tip Your Hat early days, but not now.
"I don't think there's a lot between the top four horses (Captain Kalahari, Divisive, Tip Your Hat and Mcraes Mate) and I can't wait until they all meet," Quinlan declared.
"You can't knock Divisive's form at all, but it will be interesting to see how he measures up when he has to do the work rather then lead."
Mcraes Mate, the horse who relegated Captain Kalahari to second placing in the recent Vicbred Super Series final, was also victorious in his heat yesterday.
Others winners bound for the semis after yesterday's heats are the Chris Alford-trained Bad Leroy and the highly promising Shepparton pacer True Verdict.
The beaten brigade will get their final chance to secure a Breeders Crown finals' berth in the three-year-old repechages next Monday afternoon at Maryborough.
