It was a wet but brilliant night of racing at The Meadows on Saturday which has set up intriguing finals of the G1 Maturity Classic and G3 Fireball.

Without doubt the night’s highlight came in the opening heat of the Fireball courtesy of staying icon Palawa King. While his performance was in unfamiliar fashion for the ‘King’, visually it’s arguably the best win of his career. He’s drawn box 4 in this Saturday’s final which means next to nothing given his racing style.

A win in the Fireball will see his prize money tally rise past $1.1m. He’s the favourite ($2.45) with Sportsbet while Follow The Band heads the Maturity market ($2.40).

Fields for this Saturday’s Maturity meeting at The Meadows will be drawn on Wednesday afternoon. On the night – showcase coverage via the Watchdog App and Sky Racing Active with Jason Adams, Nathan Rooney and Kat Ernst.

FIREBALL HT1: Palawa King (8) absolutely incredible, defeating Exploded (2), Lakeview Nola (5) and Make No Promise (3) who all progress to the final

FIREBALL HT2: Drill Sergeant (3) salutes, defeating Aunt Virginia (5), Ella’s Babe (2) and Stomping (7) who all progress to the final

MATURITY HT1: King Owen (1) runs down race favourite Excavation (2)

MATURITY HT2: Mepunga Tully (2) leads all of the way

MATURITY HT3: Vincent Bale (4) makes it four wins in-a-row

MATURITY HT4: Ethanol Water (4) flexes her muscle late

MATURITY HT5: Zipping Gryllis (2) barges through early

MATURITY HT6: Tully Luna (6) bursts through late to win

MATURITY HT7: Follow The Band (1) faultless from the red

MATURITY HT8: Container (2) edges out the leaders late