The $60,000 Southern Cross Finals for harness racing three year olds were held at Port Pirie last night and both the Colts/geldings and fillies divisions fell to warm favourites.
Three year old colts/geldings Final
Hez The One was a dominant favourite here even though he was poorly drawn at one on the second line.
The well supported Blurred Lines with Mark Billinger in the bike grabbed the early lead from barrier five from another well supported runner in Officianado who settled into the trail.
Danni Hill had Hez The One off the inside not long after the start but the son of Jeremes Jet settled a fair way back in the running line.
Billinger was able to get away with a couple of cheap quarters in front which forced Danni to bring Hez The One forward three wide with just over a lap to go.
The speed really went on from the 800 metres with the quarter down the back in 27.2 and Blurred Lines was the first to surrender passing the 500 metres mark.
Danni shot Hez The One clear and he comfortably held them off for an impressive win.
Officianado just as comfortably held second with Hit Maka battling on well for third.
Hez The One paced the 2050 metres in 2:35.2, a mile rate of 2:01.9 with closing sectionals of 57.6 and 30.4.
It was the 14th win from just 23 starts for the Rebecca East trained colt and took his earnings over the $120,000 mark
Three year old fillies final
On paper this looked a bit like an Emma Stewart benefit and that is exactly how it turned out.
Even though she drew one second line, Lovelist was a pronounced favourite while Starburst Girl the stablemate was the second favourite.
The one filly that could have possibly upset the Emma Stewart pair in Whats Emma Got, blew any winning chance she had when she galloped early when being rushed off the gate.
Mark Billinger worked Lovelist off the inside early in the race and grabbed the lead after 500 metres.
Starburst Girl in the hands of Anthony Butt worked hard for the first 600 metres from her wide second line draw before finding the death seat outside Lovelist.
Mark Billinger was in no real hurry in front, before upping the tempo passing the 800 metres mark.
At that point Danni Hill sent Whats Emma Got forward but she was posted three wide when the speed went on and was having trouble hanging on to the Stewart pair passing the 400 metres.
Lovelist opened up a handy break turning in and although Starburst Girl kept coming she never looked a serious winning threat.
Whats Emma Got showed real tenacity to keep going and hold third after such a hard run.
Lovelist paced the 2050 metres in 2:33.1, a mile rate of 2:00.2 with smart closing sectionals of 56.5 and 28.
It was the 13th win from just 24 starts for the daughter of Always A Virgin and took her earnings over the $130,000 mark.
It was a night to remember for Mark Billinger who drove the winners of three of the four $60,000 finals on offer.
Harnesslink Media