Knight's Page, for Hexham trainer Gayle Masterson, was the first dog through to the MDC semi-finals at Wentworth Park next month with an all-the-way victory in the Gosford decider on Tuesday night.

Dapto, Casino and Gunnedah regional finals are next up in the series on Thursday.

Muzza Keeping and the Darryl Thomas-trained Xerri were genuine hopes of another Hunter win at Gunnedah.

Xerri ($4) was second in his heat to final favourite Canya Star ($2.50), while Muzza Keeping was $7 after winning his qualifier.

Starting from box five, Muzza Keeping fought back around the outside late after a tough run to mow down Second Exit.

Shambler hoped for a clearer run from box three in the final, where the top three go to MDC semi-finals. Xerri has the six.

"It wasn't an easy run and the dog he ran down was runner-up in the nationals, so it was a pretty big effort," Shambler said.

"He's always shown that he's strong and I'd like to see him tomorrow in about the same position in the back straight. If he is, he's got a good chance of knocking them off again."

Meanwhile, Masterson was eyeing the Les Darcy Cup (450m) at Maitland and a Wentworth Park lead-in run before the October 9 MDC semis for Knight's Page.

"I am very proud of him," Masterson told thedogs.com,au. "He is just such a good dog. It doesn't matter what I ask him to do he just seems to step up and do it. He loves it."

"He's just showing more and more each week and he's bettering his own times each week.

"Up until tonight he had five starts at Gosford for three wins and two seconds and two of the wins and a second were out of box one."