It was a race filled with drama.
Second favourite Outback Miss was withdrawn on race morning and then short-priced favourite Exploring was scratched at the barrier before La Danseuse Rouge defied Will Clarken (and Niki O'Shea) a third straight Lightning win with Sweetened and Boognish filling the placings.
La Danseuse Rouge gave Cliff Brown, who won a Group 1 SA Derby with Markham, a second Listed victory in Adelaide for the 2022-23 season and putting some more valuable black type on the pedigree page of the daughter of Manhattan Rain.
"It's significant for him (the breeder),'' Brown said.
"She was good in the spring and autumn, she ran a couple of good races, her last start the horse next to her went off in the gates and I put her straight out and gave her a good break.
"She's a lovely filly,'' he said.
Brown said there was no significant spring plans in place.
"She's now Group placed, a Lister winner which is a great for a filly,'' Brown said.
JUSTIN Potter had a day out with three city winners from three rides all at big odds.
Potter got his day rolling when Jack The Lad scored as a $31 chance, backed it up with $20 chance Bonnie Gangster in the next race for Strathalbyn horseman Grant Kluske before $51 Dragonface scored a 4.2 length win and provided Lewis Grantham with his first city winner.
"All I can say is wow,'' Potter said.
"We've been having a bit of a purple patch with the Strath(albyn) horses, it's massive for them,'' he said.
IT was also a memorable day for Murray Bridge trainer Kylie Schultz training her first city winner with Second Coming scoring an impressive victory in the opening race of the day, while Jake Toeroek celebrated a big end to a massive season in combination with Richard and Chantelle Jolly when Karacasu regained winning form.
THE biggest win of the weekend may have come at Balaklava on Sunday when Jason Holder recorded his 2000th career win in the saddle.
Holder went into the weekend needing two wins for the milestone, he got Chicago Bear home at Morphettville on Saturday before winning the opening race at Balaklava on Sunday aboard Gruelling to bring up win 2000.
It was also a significant day for apprentice Chelsey Reynolds who had the fairy tale start to her riding career winning aboard The Great Baby at her first ride for the Wayne Francis and Glen Kent stable.
