Tricky draws spice up Sunday's Southern Surge Finals

By Jonny Turner 

Sunday's Southern Surge showdowns are not going to be for the faint-hearted.

Southland is set for an injection of heat ahead of spring when eight Southern Surge Finals are held at Winton on Sunday.

Preferential barrier conditions and the good old luck of the random draws have dealt several key contenders tough second-row starting spots.

With each final to be run over a mile, fast tempos and plenty of mid-race challenges from runners looking to overcome their tricky barriers are almost guaranteed.

The highest-rated of Sunday's pacing finals sees the in-form Step It Up A Notch set the tough task of overcoming barrier 14 over the Winton mile.

Impressive last start winner Justaweesip has also been handed a tricky spot in barrier 1 on the second row.

Unbeaten in the series so far, Delphyne will have to overcome barrier 8 in her final assignment.

Also unbeaten in his two heat runs, the very progressive Redback Bob draws outside all of his key rivals in the first of the Winton finals.

Becky's Girl is in a similar spot having drawn barrier 8 in another of Sunday's square-gaiting showdowns.

The Phil Williamson-trained filly is set for a showdown with the ultra-impressive heat winner Penelope Lane, from the Brad Williamson stable.

Though defeated in her last outing at Ascot Park, Becky's Girl caught the eye when flashing late for third.

The classy filly ran her last 400m in 27.6sec when coming very wide on a rain-affected track.

Penelope Lane was as impressive as any Southern Surge heat winner when winning her only start in the series so far at Winton.

The four-year-old sat parked throughout and pulled away to score a classy win, all while not having a trial to prepare for her return to racing.

Penelope Lane has been handed barrier two on the second row on Sunday, which looks a slight advantage over Becky's Girl's barrier 8 draw.

Penelope Lane will need to link up with a junior claiming driver under the Southern Surge Series rules, with Max Hill booked to take the drive.

The clause has led to plenty of debate among the connections of horses at the very top of the rating bands for the series.

It has also created the opportunity for drivers like Hill, Oliver Kite, Madison Kyle and Emma Adams to steer highly-rated horses to victory in Sunday's $25,000 finals.

To see Sunday's fields click here