Bass said: ”It’s the Diadem on 27 December next and then probably the Cape Flying (24 Jan) but bear in mind I’ve also done the Sceptre (17 Jan) as well in the past!

“This was a good run from Fly By Night. Alboran Sea went for her life and it was a big ask to catch her. But mine was good enough to do it.”

Stable companion Lanner Falcon (fifth) was severely handicapped by a slipping saddle which, to Grant van Niekerk’s consternation, began to go backwards soon after the start

If Alboran Sea is again in opposition on 24 January she won’t risk being the hare a second time as Mike de Kock said: “This is the wrong place to go to the front.”

Darryl Hodgson and Hassen Adams had some compensation for Fairyinthewoods’ recent career-ending injury when Gerrit Schlechter got Dressed In Cotton up on the line in the Val De Ra Southeaster Sprint.

Hodgson said: “Fairyinthewoods (winner of last year’s Southern Cross) damaged her near-fore tendon in her final gallop for this race. I am very disappointed because I feel she would have won again.

“She now goes to stud – Hassen will decide which stallion – while Dressed In Cotton will run in the Diadem although he won’t be as well in as he was here.”

Picture: Fly By Night gets the better of Alboran Sea in the Southern Cross Stakes at Kenilworth yesterday. (Liesl King)