The shock scratching of reigning National Distance Champion Mantra Lad prior to the event ensured Vintage Octane a berth in the national final as the wildcard entrant (awarded to the highest rated greyhound according to the Australian Greyhound Racing Association rankings to participate in their state final), but his emphatic win in Thursday's final shows he is on track to claim a third consecutive National Distance Championship for Victoria.

The field got away evenly but it was Headley Bale ($7.60) who took full advantage of box 1 to lead the field through the first turn. Vintage Octane ($4.20), ideally drawn in box 8, loomed large entering the straight the first time around and soon swept to the lead.

Jarvis Bale ($13.40) moved through the field in pursuit of the leader, but he was unable to bridge the gap, Vintage Octane going on to win by 3lengths in a slick 42.10. Favourite Amity Bale ($1.80) endured a chequered run to finish fourth.

With Vintage Octane going through to the national final as the Victorian representative, Jarvis Bale received the wildcard as the next highest greyhound in the official national rankings.

Vintage Octane, who won in a stunning 29.54 on debut at Sandown Park (515m), will now return to Cannington, where he has twice been placed at Group level.

Vintage Octane is a son of Pure Octane whom McDonald guided to victory in the National Sprint Championship at Wentworth Park, Sydney, in 2005. McDonald has since prepared Itza Bee (2006, distance), Nitro Nori (2007, sprint) and All Caution (2008, sprint) in successive National Finals.

The $72,500 Group 1 National Distance Championship final will be run in conjunction with the National Sprint Championship at Cannington, Perth on Saturday, September 5.