3yo Southern Cross wrap up
Mount Gamber reinsman Jayson Finnis gave himself a perfect Christmas present and farewell to South Australia when Always Dancing won at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
But it could have gone horribly wrong in the Listed $35,000 2025 Alabar 3YO Pacing Colts & Geldings Southern Cross Final (2230m).
Finnis said Always Dancing had galloped for a few strides as the runners were scoring up behind the mobile barrier and has a result he had to really work hard from barrier one to hold the lead.
Alls well that ends well as Always Dancing ($4.60) gave a display of sustained speed to score by five metres from Imposter Boy ($26) with the sensationally backed Zenario ($1.80 into $1.12 fav), three metres away third.
The gelding rated an excellent 1:56.9 recording four sub-30 second quarters for the last 1600 metres.
Finnis, his wife Alyce and their children Judd, Sadie and Tilly, are moving to Queensland to build the family’s harness racing career.
Alyce and the children were already in Queensland at their new property at Lowood, while Finnis was leaving on Monday to join them with Always Dancing on the float.
“With tonight’s win he is going to find it tough in Queensland,” Finnis said.
“Winning as a young horse does not help under the handicapping system and he will be up against the best in Brisbane.
“I have been galloping him in trackwork this week, and for a few strides he broke into a gallop, but I was able to get him into a pace, and he was able to lead and was very strong.”
It was Jayson Finnis’ second win as a driver in the Southern Cross 3YO Colts & Geldings having won on Forty Seven Flash in 2012 for his father Barry.
In the Listed $35,000 2025 Ladbrokes 3YO Pacing Fillies Southern Cross Final (2230m), the South Australian owned-and-bred Brighton was able to lead throughout.
It gave trainer Emma Stewart her seventh win in 14 years in the 3YO Fillies Southern Cross, but for owner-breeder Mark Carey he completed an amazing double.
In 2011-2012 Repelem, which he bred and owned, won the 2YO and 3YO Southern Cross finals for father and son Jon and Ryan Hryhorec.
Now, Brighton has completed the same double in 2024-2025.
Carey, and his family, were on holiday in Robe in the South-East of South Australia, when Brighton won on Saturday.
Coming from gate six, Brighton ($2), driven by Gaita Pullicino who was also in the sulky last year, worked across from her outside draw to find the lead from Aloha Princess ($2.50 into $1.85 fav) which had led from barrier four.
Once in front, Pullicino allowed the filly to bowl along.
Aloha Princess, unbeaten in her three previous starts, had a good trail and driver Wayne Hill looked to have a chance on the home turn.
Brighton kept running to win by eight-and-a-half metres from Aloha Princess with Ohso Kinky ($31), 21 metres away third in an excellent mile rate of 1:56.3.
Interestingly, the winner has won just four races from 11 starts, her heats and finals of the Southern Cross and still has yet to win a race in Victoria so is still waiting to pick up her Vicbred winner’s bonus.
- Story Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga