Fresh from being rated the equal best sprinter on the planet by the World Thoroughbred Rankings Committee, Scenic Blast heads the list of six finalists for the 2008-09 Victorian Racehorse of the Year Awards.

Although based in Perth, Scenic Blast had an outstanding season on Victorian tracks winning the G1 Lightning Stakes and G1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

SCENIC BLAST (Scenic) flew the flag for Australia at the recent Royal Ascot meeting in England, blitzing his foreign rivals in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes.  His next start will be in the July Cup at Newmarket on Friday, July 10.  Scenic Blast was bred by Durham Lodge Thoroughbred Stud in WA.

Other finalists for the 2008/09 Victorian Horse of the Year are:

• MALDIVIAN (6g Zabeel – Shynzi by Danzig)

Won the G1 Cox Plate and G1 C F Orr Stakes
Breeder:  Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan, NZ

• NICONERO (7g Danzero – Nicola Lass by Scenic)

Won the G1 Futurity Stakes and G1 Australian Cup
Breeder:  Meadowvale Pastoral, P Devitt, L Gordon, SA

• THESEO  (5g Danewin – Ozone Sand by L’enjoleur)

Won the G1 Mackinnon Stakes and G2 St George Stakes
Breeder:   Emirates Park, NSW

• WEEKEND HUSSLER  (4g Hussonet – Weekend Beauty by Helissio)

Won the G1 Underwood Stakes, G2 Memsie Stakes and G2 Makybe Diva Stakes
Breeder:  Jungle Pocket P/L, Arrowfield Group, NSW

• WHOBEGOTYOU  (3g Street Cry – Temple Of Peace by Carnegie)

Won the G1 Caulfield Guineas, G2 Stutt Stakes and G2 AAMI Vase
Breeder:  Lockyer Thoroughbreds, ACT

The Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards will be held at Palladium at Crown on Sunday, August 9.