The Northern Region Final following heats at Nyah and Semi-Finals at Mildura, was taken out by Dieselene Dreams in what was a thriller from the outset, with polemarker Ay Tee Em retaining the front running despite a strong challenge by Heza Panamach (gate three) and Loaded (three wide from outside the front row).

When Kerryn Manning eased Dieselene Dreams (unbeaten in three runs this time in) three wide mid-race from four back in the moving line after starting from gate four on the second line to apply more pressure, Daryl Douglas aboard Heza Panamach kicked up and left her posted on a limb, with the well supported Dual Agent Tabman following Dieselene Dreams home.

Asked for a supreme effort in the final circuit, Dieselene Dreams responded in magnificent fashion to draw clear of Ay Tee Emm on the final bend and held a margin to the wire in defeating the roughie Sunrose Don three wide home turn off the back of the leader, with Transformation (one/one) third just in advance of a game Ay Tee Em who really never had a moments peace.

Heza Panamach was a spent force approaching the home turn, while Dual Agent Tabman galloped in the last lap putting pay to his chances.

A 5-Y-0 gelded son of Safely Kept and Top Fortune, Dieselene Dreams returned a mile slick mile rate of 2-00.4 in recording his 5th victory from only six race appearances, having been sidelined for a long period of time with knee problems.

Highly promising Kiwi bred Sands A Flyin/Tell Laura gelding Our Flyin Jazz was most impressive in the Hepworth Memorial.

Trained at Irymple in the district by much travelled Boris Devcic and driven by Shepparton's Nathan Jack, Our Flyin Jazz settled three back in the moving line from gate three on the second row, before making a lightning move within a lap to park outside the highly fancied leader The Good Girl (gate five) from Kerryn Manning's barn which had taken over from Xavier Jack.

Applying plenty of pressure to the leader approaching the home turn, Our Flyin Jazz proved to be the better stayer on the night and raced clear halfway up the running to score from The Good Girl who wouldn't give in without a fight, with Xavier Jack third after trailing the runner up.

Rating 2-03.7 for the journey, Our Flyin Jazz has chalked up three successes in 14 outings (four in Australia) and is vastly improved since crossing the Tasman.

Popular Barham trainer Ruth Arthur snared the Sunraysia Resort Pace for C4 to C6 class over 1790 metres with honest 5-Y-0 Village Jasper/Ata Sunset mare Jazzy Art in a rate of 2-01.7.

Raced in partnership by Ruth with breeder Graham Maxted, Jazzy Art with Goulburn Valley reinsman Craig Northcott in the sulky, led throughout from the pole in defeating the heavily supported Smooth which raced parked for most of the trip, with Our Buddy Holly third from three back along the markers.

It was Jazzy Art's 9th victory in 62 race appearances.

Len BAKER