Crack colt Restrepo will carry the local hopes in next week's Alabar Victoria Derby Final after being the fastest winner of the three heats run at Melton's Tabcorp Park on Friday night. The Emma Stewart-trained talent franked his status as the host state's best hope in Australia's oldest harness racing pacing Classic with a gusty win in the second of the night's three qualifiers.

Five-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding Cromac Johnny clinched a start in the $1.78 million V75 interdominion championship series next month when he gave a brilliant frontrunning display to score a runaway victory in the $25,000 Yes Loans Fremantle Cup Consolation at Gloucester Park on Friday night.