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Sunday’s Sportsbet Emerald saw John Barbara cap off a good period for his kennel with a feature win in the Sportsbet Emerald with Michigan. 

Sent out as third elect – at a quote of $11 – Michigan set the speed early and was able to stave off the fast-finishing Dewana Star and Diamantina Pear who rounded out the placings.

Consistency and early speed proved to be the key for Michigan, who followed up his heat time of 16.336 (in defeat behind Settle for Less) with a final-winning performance of a slick 16.384 over the 300m.

Michigan (4) holds off Dewana Star (2) in the Sportsbet Emerald

The $25,000 to-the-winner feature sees a unique format where the final is comprised of the fastest eight qualifiers from the four-dog heats, meaning a greyhound can win its heat but still miss out on the final if the time they set is not quick enough.

Of the heat performances, the 9th to 16th fastest qualifiers go around in the $5,000 to-the-winner Sportsbet Emerald Consolation, which was also taken out by the Barbara Camp – this time for Andrea Chapple – with Lady Gunai in 16.443.

Interestingly, Lady Gunai beat Paw Sakakibura and Knee Deep, who both took out heats of the Sportsbet Emerald but were resigned to competing in the consolation due to their times.