KEY POINTS:
Our Sunny Whiz won more than just a race at Alexandra Park last night - she won a shot at the big time.
The track specialist was in danger of missing the remainder of the season after two below-par runs at her previous two starts put her Rowe
Cup campaign in jeopardy.
Had she not improved in last night's $25,000 SkyCity Casino Trot, she could have been off to the spelling paddock as the most talented under-achiever in open class trotting.
But she saved her season and confirmed her Rowe Cup assault with a courageous victory.
After starting from a 20m handicap, she made a lightning move at the 1600m mark which looked to have backfired when she could not wrest the lead, but seconds later driver Maurice McKendry produced the race-winning move by sneaking into the trail.
That respite gave her the energy to divebomb One Over Kenny and Galleons Assassin in the home straight to record her 13th win, all at Alexandra Park.
"That was more like it," said trainer Ken Sefonte.
"She needed that or we couldn't have pressed on to the Rowe Cup. She will be heading there now for sure."
Not only will Our Sunny Whiz start in the $150,000 feature in three weeks but she will not race again before it.
"I have always believed she races best when she is fresh and even though it may be an unusual tactic she won't have another race until the Rowe."
While beaten, Our Over Kenny showed she will be the one to beat in the Rowe with her huge second after parading looking in need of the run, while Galleons Assassin did enough on his open class debut to also continue towards the Rowe.
* Later in the night Strike Up The Band booked his spot in the Sires' Stakes Final for the 2-year-olds with a comprehensive win in his heat.
Beautifully driven by Tony Herlihy, he grabbed the lead after Dash and Cody Banks had an early speed duel, leaving Strike Up The Band to dictate the terms.
* Herlihy was even more thrilled just two races later when Sly Flyin continued his remarkable comeback.
The veteran won his seventh race for the season when he overcame a wide draw to down some of the best open class horses in the country in the free-for-all.
He surprisingly lost an early speed duel with Pay Me Christian and was forced to settle three deep on the markers but he still outsprinted a gutsy Mi Muchacho and Monkey King.
With seven wins this season, Sly Flyin has been second only to Flashing Red among the open class pacers, a year after he looked set for retirement.