The barrier draw will be crucial for Saturday night’s $10,000 Country Graduation Final (2230m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday night, April 4.
Following the two semi-finals at Globe Derby Park last Friday night (March 27) a quality field will line up in this week’s final.
Nominal favourite for the final is the South-East mare Three Queens which had a comfortable win in the Globe Derby Bistro County Graduation first semi-final.
From gate two, driver Jayson Finnis worked Three Queens to the front early as a well backed $1.20 favourite, and the four-year-old mare was never really troubled in scored a 6.7 metre win from Majestic Lustre ($15.70) which came home well with Stones Corner ($18.40) 4.1 metres away third.
Part-owner and breeder Peter Medhurst was on course to see the win and was delighted with the mare’s effort.
“I did say to Jayson I wish we had that draw in the final,” Medhurst said.
“She went well tonight and hopefully we get another good draw for the final.”
The second semi-final saw a brilliant drive by Mark Billinger see Westfiftyfour cause an upset win for punters.
Trained at Port Pirie by Wayne Brodie, Westfiftyfour ($23.70) finished best along the inside to wear down the $1.60 favourite Flagbearer to score by 4.5 metres with Our Cavort ($7.70) 2.4 metres away third.
From gate one, Billinger allowed Westfiftyfour to settle second behind Our Cavort rather than be involved in a speed battle for the lead but quickly came off the fence and regained the lead when Lisa Ryan on Our Cavort was happy to take a trail.
Ryan Hryhorec, noting the early action brought the favourite Flagbearer around the outside, and after a short battle, assumed the lead.
Hryhorec gave the Flagbearer rein around the home turn to have a good lead but she got a little tired in home straight and Westfiftyfour drove through to claim a win and Our Cavort followed through to grab third.
