Third time lucky

IT WAS a case of third time lucky for classy pacer Hezrockinroyalty last night.

Runner-up in the Southern Cross Finals for two and three-year-olds, Hezrockinroyalty captured the Four-Year-Old and Older Final at Globe Derby.

Thrilled with the result, trainer Alan Cronin described the victory as “more satisfying” than Hez So Royal capturing the Two-Year-Old Final earlier on the card.

“It was a huge night,” Cronin said. “For both those horses to win was amazing…we loved it!

“I think Royalty winning was more satisfying than the two-year-old as he really deserved his win. No one could begrudge that as he’s done such a good job.”

With Ryan Hryhorec in the cart, Hezrockinroyalty sat behind the leader, Big Jim Major, before finishing strongly along the sprint lane to score by three-and-a-half metres from the frontrunner.

After working hard in the ‘death seat’, Classic Line battled on to be a neck away third in 1:57.4 over 2230 metres.

“That was another top run from him,” Cronin said. “He’ll go around again next week in the Christmas Cup, then have a little break and be set for the country cups.”

Also driven by Hryhorec, Hez So Royal led throughout from barrier five to account for Steam Machine and Gym Junkie in 1:57.4 over 1800 metres.

“He’s won his last four now and that is a great way to end his season,” Cronin said. “He’s had his shoes taken off this morning and will head to Ballarat tomorrow.

“I plan on giving him a long break, as with the rating system the way it is, there is no point rushing him back.

“We won’t see him until the second half of the season.”