Jumping from box six, Lightning Frank was hindered by a slow start in Wednesday night’s semi final but finished strongly to book a spot in next week’s decider.

The two-year-old, owned by the Warrnambool-based Hashtag Syndicate, has drawn favourably for the classic and is set to run from box one.

Hashtag Syndicate manager Chris Madden said the group – made up of his work friends and father – were ecstatic about the support from the Warrnambool community.

“It’s great to just strike up a conversation with people down the street about Frank and how he is travelling,” he said.

“Mat and Kevin Wright have done a fantastic job with him and they’ve shown training here isn’t a hindrance to success.”