Fresh from his excellent victory in the Golden Nursery Final some two months ago, Hez So Royal showed great speed to stay ahead of his rivals from the mobile start.
Hez So Royal, held together by Ryan Hryhorec, looked to have the race in his grasp when his main danger Steam Machine raced out early to sit outside the leader.
Hez So Royal pressed the accelerator on the straight, but to its credit Steam Machine almost joined the leader into the final corner. But the effort was evident and Hez So Royal ran his final quarter in 27.3 seconds to win by eight meters over a determined Steam Machine with Gym Junky holding on to hold on for third place.
HEZ SO ROYAL DEC 20 REPETITION
Hez So Royal was trained by Alan Cronin and his mother Our Royal Lady previously left the smart pacers Royal Watch and Hezrockinroyalty.
The Allenby Lodge two-year-old fillies final was knocked out by favorite Hilltop Blossom (Captain Crunch), who gave trainer Emma Stewart a double after taking out the three-year-old fillies with Brighton.
Hilltop Blossom took the pole and driver Wayne Hill planned to hold the lead. Centrefold Star, who was the subject of strong betting support, made a spirited sprint into the lead before Michael Smith opted to take a course.
HILLTOP BLOSSOM DEC 20 REPETITION
It was clear that these two pacers would battle it out to the finish and they managed to avoid the opposition on the back straight. Centerfold Star made it a race as she tried to mount a challenge but in the home straight Hilltop Blossom stamped their class with a four meter winning margin over Centrefold Star, who were far from disgraced and they split the rest of the field with Lardy Dah Lady almost thirty meters away in third.
Hilltop Blossom is played by her breeder Val Bain. Her mother Hilltop Rose won the Ladyship stakes at Globe Derby as a two-year-old.
Centrefold Star won many admirers with her courageous performance and this lightly raced daughter of Poster Boy will improve with age and will certainly come back stronger as a three-year-old.
For full race results, click here.
Through Tony Milanesefor Harnesslink
#Hez #Royal #Hilltop #Blossom #claim #year #finals