Battle within a battle in tonight’s Cup

THERE will be a battle within a battle at Mount Gambier tonight.

Engaged in the club’s Pacing Cup, Regal Scribe and Dancing Finn are not only stablemates, they are siblings, meaning bragging rights are two-fold.

The eldest at seven, Regal Scribe is by Sportswriter, while Dancing Finn is a daughter of A Rocknroll Dance, with the pair from top producer Anna Finn.

Anna Finn boasts four winners and a placegetter from five starters.

The matron’s placegetter – Alanna Miki – had four outings as a two-year-old last season for two seconds, a third and a fourth, suggesting her maiden win is only a matter of time.

Back to Regal Scribe and Dancing Finn, the Lance Holberton-trained duo clash with each other and five additional rivals over 2190 metres.

Fresh from her strong victory in last weekend’s Strathalbyn Pacing Cup, Dancing Finn is a $2.20 favourite, while Regal Scribe is on the other end of the scale as the $34 rank outsider.

Driven by Michael Smith, Dancing Finn overcame a second row draw and a tough run in the ‘death seat’ during her latest triumph.

This time around the five-year-old will begin from the outside of the front line.

Regal Scribe has fared better in barrier three.

“Finn is in tremendous form with six wins from her last seven starts,” Holberton said. “She has worked a treat again this week and it is hard seeing her being beaten tonight.

“Mount Gambier can be a problem for some horses, but I can’t see it being an issue with her.

“Regal is going better than his form looks on paper. He’s just having no luck and is the kind which needs things to go his way.

“From a reasonable draw against a small field, hopefully things can work out better for him.”