One of Australia’s top three-year-old fillies Rocknroll Magic looks to have a stranglehold on the Sky Racing Southern Cross Three-Year-Old Fillies final (2230m) this Saturday night at Globe Derby Park.
The Emma Stewart-trained filly won the two-year-old Southern Cross final at Port Pirie last year and will be at a prohibitive quote to repeat the victory in this season’s three-year-old version at Globe Derby Park.
A money-back $1 favourite, Rocknroll Magic, driven by Mark Billinger, had no trouble leading from gate one and set a pedestrian 33.0 first quarter before stepping it up with 31.3, 29.1 then a sizzling 27.9 to dash away and scored by 9-1/2 metres from Swaffham Water ($41.10) and Queen of Sharkz ($12) a metre away third.
Managing part-owner Bruce Cameron said he was pleased Rocknroll Magic had an easy run recording a mile rate of 2.01.9.
“She has had a big campaign and still has the Breeders Crown to come,” Cameron said.
“Mark drove her beautifully and all is on track for this week’s final.”
Billinger said Rocknroll Magic was a wonderful filly to drive.
“She is running good sectionals, then you hardly breathe and she peels off a 27 quarter,” Billinger said. “There is no doubting her quality.”
While Rocknroll Magic appears to have a mortgage on the final, the second semi-final on Saturday night produced a great story.
Trainer-driver Ryan Hryhorec purchased the filly Lily Thesinger for just $2500 and in three starts for the stable the filly has already picked up nearly $10,000.
“When I bought her I was thinking we would try to pick up a Vicbred bonus to cover the cost,” Hryhorec said.
“I didn’t really plan to run her in the Southern Cross but one of the new owners said why not so I threw her in.”
Lily Thesinger won her heat the previous Saturday night, then on Saturday, was a $5.50 chance from gate four but began quickly and Hryhorec took her to the front.
Just Wantano ($3 into $1.80 favourite), driven by Dani Hill, came across strongly from gate five and really kept the pressure on and after as 31.8 first quarter stepped up for a 29.9 and 28.1 second and third quarters before coming home in 29.2.
Lily Thesinger answered the challenge and drew away in the home straight to score by 1-/2 metres from Morning Stories ($18.40) and Just Wantano fading to be 5-1.2 metres away third.
“She really has surprised me,” Hryhorec said. “I never expected her to be doing this, she has just kept improving.”
