THE Heather Collins-trained speedster Arsonist will start a warm favourite for this week's $36,000 group 2 DDC Launching Pad after a scorching 29.76-second heat win at Sandown Park last Thursday night.
Having her third start following two comprehensive wins at Warrnambool, Arsonist was flawless from box 11, leading all the way to win by a staggering 16 lengths in the fastest time of the night.
The rising star's chances of group race glory improved sharply after drawing box 1 for the final.
Recent group 1 Silver Chief winner Enry Walt overcame a moderate start to win his heat in 29.91
seconds.
Enry Walt found early trouble jumping from box 1 in last week's Group 1 Temlee invitational race at The Meadows, and made a similar start from the same box on Thursday.
He proved too classy for his inexperienced rivals, powering to the line 3? lengths clear of early leader Ercole Bale.
Other heat winners were Scarlett Girl, Iceman Raikkonen, Wild Haley, Stepping Stone, Messi and Arvo's Cougar.
The $25,000 final will be run at Sandown Park on Thursday night.