Hez So Royal, Hilltop Blossom claim 2YO Finals

South Australia may well have unearthed a rising young harness racing star after Hez So Royal (Soho Tribeca) looked super impressive in winning the $35,000 Bellemour Park Stud two year old colts and geldings Southern Cross Final at Globe Derby on Saturday evening.

Fresh from his outstanding win in the Golden Nursery Final some two months ago, Hez So Royal displayed high speed to head off his rivals from the mobile start.

Held together by Ryan Hryhorec, Hez So Royal looked to have the race in his keeping when his main danger Steam Machine raced up outside early to sit outside the leader.

Hez So Royal stepped on the gas along the back straight but to his credit Steam Machine held his ground and almost joined the leader on the final bend. But the effort told and Hez So Royal running his last quarter in 27.3 seconds drew clear to win by eight metres over a determined Steam Machine with Gym Junky who had the run of the race holding on for third placing.

HEZ SO ROYAL DEC 20 REPLAY

Hez So Royal is trained by Alan Cronin and his dam Our Royal Lady has previously left the smart pacers Royal Watch and Hezrockinroyalty.

The Allenby Lodge two year old fillies Final was taken out by hot favourite Hilltop Blossom (Captain Crunch) who gave trainer Emma Stewart a double having taken out the three year old fillies with Brighton.

Hilltop Blossom was drawn the pole and driver Wayne Hill had every intention of holding the lead. Centrefold Star who was the subject of strong betting support made a spirited dash for the lead before Michael Smith elected to take a trail.

HILLTOP BLOSSOM DEC 20 REPLAY

It was clear that these two pacers would fight out the finish and they drew clear of the opposition in the back straight. Centrefold Star made a race of it as she tried to issue a challenge but in the home straight Hilltop Blossom stamped her class by a winning margin of four metres over Centrefold Star who was far from disgraced and they spaced the remainder of the field with Lardy Dah Lady nearly thirty metres away in third.

Hilltop Blossom is raced by her breeder Val Bain. Her dam Hilltop Rose won the Ladyship stakes at Globe Derby as a two year old.

Centrefold Star won plenty of admirers with her plucky performance and this lightly raced daughter of Poster Boy will get better with age and is sure to come back stronger as a three year old.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink