Southern Cross 3YO Finals go to Brighton and Always Dancing

South Australia showcased their best youngsters on Saturday evening at Globe Derby with Finals for the two year olds ( fillies and colts and geldings) and a similar status for the three year olds.

The races highlighted the younger bred and locally trained pacers and is a steady build up on the momentum of last few years. The series has shown a steady improvement in the quality of pacers entered.

The three year old fillies division sponsored by Ladbrokes saw a classic two horse battle between the previously unbeaten local Aloha Princess and the locally bred but Victorian trained Brighton.

Aloha Princess was backed into favouritism but just ahead of Brighton. And it was Brighton (Downbytheseaside) who prevailed. Aloha Princess found the lead but Gaita Pullicino on Brighton was determined to run for the lead and once in front always looked to be the one to beat.

BRIGHTON DEC 20 REPLAY

Despite seeming to over race at stages, Brighton moved clear of her rivals in the back straight and although Aloha Princess eased out for a challenge on the final bend Brighton sprinted clear to record an effortless win by just under nine metres with Ohso Kinky a distant third.

In winning Brighton repeated her success when she won the Southern Cross last year as a two year old. She looked very impressive in running her last quarter in 27.8 seconds.

Trained by Emma Stewart Brighton is raced by her breeder Mark Carey who raced Brighton’s dam Sign Logic. In addition to Brighton Sign Logic left the useful pacer Thiswaytothebeach who won nine races.

The colts and geldings division sponsored by Alabar Farms was taken out by talented local pacer Always Dancing (Always B Miki) who upset the Victorian hot favourite Zenario.

As with the previous event punters had Zenario a heavily backed odds on favourite with Always Dancing an easing second favourite.

ALWAYS DANCING DEC 20 REPLAY

Luke Dunne on Zenario pressed for the lead and he almost crossed over but Jayson Finnis on Always Dancing had other ideas and he kicked up to hold the lead. Dunne continued to press on for a short while before being consigned to race outside the leader.

Always Dancing was leading with Imposter Boy taking the one out and one back trail. Even so Zenario still looked to be travelling within himself as he moved closer to Always Dancing on the final bend where they had run a third quarter in 28.9 seconds.

However Always Dancing found another gear and beat off Zenario. Imposter Boy went to the inside but Always Dancing was a well deserved winner by just under five metres from Imposter Boy with Zenario having had a hard run holding on for third.

Always Dancing’s dam Come Dance with Me was a smart mare in the West winning 12 races with a time of 1.57.3.

It was a timely win for Finnis as he will soon be leaving his Mount Gambier stables to try his luck in Queensland after the New Year.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink