Locals breathing a sigh of relief

LOCALS are breathing a sigh of relief this morning.

Nominations for Saturday night's Southern Cross heats closed just moments ago with reigning champion Encipher's name not among them.

Bred and owned by South Australian horseman Tyson Linke, Encipher will remain in Victoria to focus on next month's Vicbred Super Series.

Trainer Emma Stewart made the decision to freshen the daughter of Captaintreacherous after she successfully defended her Breeders' Crown title at Tabcorp Park Melton last weekend.

Last season Encipher contested all three of the futurities, winning the two as mentioned before finishing second behind Amore Vita in the Vicbred Final.

Prepared by Nathan Purdon at the time, Amore Vita was recently transferred to Stewart.

"She went over to Globe Derby for the Southern Cross last year, but her schedule has been a little more hectic this time with the Victoria Oaks last month as well," Stewart said.

"We always enjoy heading over to Adelaide, but unfortunately with the tight racing dates, she will have to miss it this time."

Driven by Kate Gath during her latest victory, Encipher led throughout from barrier two to complete a metre-and-a-half win from Soho Historia.

Not only is the latter also trained by Stewart, she is predominantly owned by South Australian interests, giving the 'Croweaters' a quinella in the Group One.

Amore Vita rounded out a Stewart trifecta when three-and-a-half metres away third.

Rating 1:57 over 2240 metres, the three-year-old took her record to an imposing 11 wins and six placings from 18 starts for earnings of $495,699.