­Pretty Blonde was crowned XXXX Gold Alice Springs Cup champion

THE Kym Healy-trained ­Pretty Blonde was crowned XXXX Gold Alice Springs Cup champion at Pioneer Park in Alice Springs yesterday.

Justin Potter aboard Pretty Blonde wins the Alice Springs cup from Chieftain Jack. Pictur

THE Kym Healy-trained ­Pretty Blonde was crowned XXXX Gold Alice Springs Cup champion at Pioneer Park in Alice Springs yesterday.

The five-year-old mare ­ridden by top South Australian jockey Justin Potter edged out Phillip Stokes’ five-year-old Chieftain Jack by a length in a thrilling finish to the Alice Springs Cup Carnival.

Waggabilla, trained by Terry Huish, had a gallant run before finishing nearly three lengths behind.

It was Pretty Blonde’s fourth win on the trot and eighth with Potter in the ­saddle.

Potter said he always felt confident heading into the 2000m race to claim his share in the $72,600 first prize.

“Dom was good on Chieftain Jack but he was always in my sights and I was pretty ­confident I could pick him up,” he said.

“It was great to get win number four in a row with Pretty Blonde and eight wins altogether on the horse which is my most wins on any horse.

“She’s been a really nice horse.”

Potter said he was happy with his Alice Springs Cup Carnival.

“We came up last weekend and had a double with Kym’s horses Pretty Blonde and Air Comet,” he said.

“It’s been a really great trip.”

A delighted Healy yelled out as Potter returned to the winners’ circle.

“It was my first Alice Springs Cup win and Justin has won all eight times he has ­ridden her,” he said.

“I thought the race would be run to suit her. I thought they would go hard.

“I said to Potter: ‘There are no instructions. You know the horse. I’ll see you in the winners’ circle’.”

“I wasn’t worried about any of them to be honest. Not being a bighead.”