Jayson Finnis will drive SA's King Grin and Jasper Lane in the Australasian Breeders Crown Repechages at melton Photo by David Aldred
The pride of South Australia's south-east, King Grin could cap a magnificient week for the Finnis/Medhurst families in today's Australasian Breeders' Crown (Series 13) 3rd Repechage for 2yo Colts & Geldings at Tabcorp Park Melton.
Drawn at gate five, the Barry Finnis trained King Grin goes for a picket fence of victories after going unbeaten in the SA TAB Southern Cross Series and Final at Globe Derby Park. Last Saturday night, driven by Jayson Finnis, King Grin battled the elements to lead all the way and win the $50,000 Final beating a classy line up of opponents. He has won three of his last four starts, his only defeat by a half head in the Globe Derby Australasian Breeders Crown Heat won by Bastille Crest. Raced by Peter and Lesley Medhurst, Jayson's grandparents, King Grin has an impeccable record racing six times for four wins. The son of Grinfromeartoear has great gate speed and races best when able to find the lead. But today against tougher opposition and with a five gate draw, he faces possibly his toughest assignment. The $8,000 Repechage is raced over 2240 metres, King Grin's wins have each been over 1800 metres. Queenslander General Bronski has drawn the pole gate and looks the horse to beat. Trained by Darrel Graham and driven by Alan Johnson, General Bronski has shown good form up to 2300 metres and was a last start winner at Albion Park over the mile. Another visitor to Melbourne, Im Blue Double Dee trained by Steve Turnbull and reined by Amanda Turnbull is expected to race well. The grey colt finished a luckless second over 2300 metres at Menangle last start. South Australian owner-breeder, David Sharpe races Irish Crest in this race. Trained by Steve O'Donoghue, Irish Crest was fourth in a Southern Cross Consolation Final at Globe Derby last Saturday.The Finnis/Medhurst family also race Jasper Lane in the 2nd Filly Australasian Breeders Crown Repechage at Melton today. Jasper Lane (Jayson Finnis) motored home for second place to star SA filly Repelem in the 2yo F Final of the $50,000 Southern Cross on Saturday night. Jasper Lane, a Mount Gambier winner earlier this year is drawn at gate two in her Repechage. Smat O'Donoghue trained 2yo filly Vouvray (Gavin Lang), a last start 3rd placegetter to Aussie Made Lombo at Yarra Valley in a Breeders Crown Heat, has drawn the pole gate position while Chris Alford's Passion Promise, third to Lively Moth at its most recent assignment in a Yarra Valley Breeders Crown Heat has drawn gate three.
