Kim Waugh will have at least two runners in the $400,000 Provincial Championship with Supreme Effort and His Majesty confirming their spots via the series heat at Wyong.
Supreme Effort, the $3.50 equal favourite, beat his stablemate by a half neck after His Majesty ($4.80) got back in the field from barrier 14.
The Michelle Ritchie-trained Better Not Blue ($11) also made his way to the final by running third, a short head behind the runner-up.
Waugh is also hoping to get Hetty Heights, a winner at Newcastle on Tuesday, through to the final on April 9 via one of the four remaining heats.
“The pressure is off for a couple of weeks,” Waugh told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“It was a beautiful ride by James (McDonald) on Supreme Effort. He was three-deep all the way but with cover.
“We could have scratched His Majesty and gone to another heat but I knew the surface would be perfect here today.”
Waugh said she had not yet decided whether either horse would have another start before the final.
“We’ll take them home for a few days before we decide,” she said.
“They are both very fit.”
Blake Shinn said he hope His Majesty drew a better alley next time.
“It was a great effort but barriers win races,” he said.
“They went fast and I made the decision early to be quiet on him and back his turn of foot but I had to come wide.
“He’s made the final and hopefully we can make amends.”
