South Monarch outlasted Bubble Economy in a stirring stretch battle to win the 100th edition of the $30,000 My Lady's Manor steeplechase race at Monkton on Saturday.

Ridden by Jody Petty, South Monarch dueled with Bubble Economy throughout the lane and prevailed by a head after capturing the lead in the final quarter mile of the three-mile test over timber jumps.

The outcome was decided in a photo review.

"It's always hard to say I won the race. I wasn't so sure," Petty said. "I knew it was going to be a challenge, just a grudge match. Luckily, today we were a little better."

The time was a leisurely 6:53 1/5 after Mr Liberator and then Haddix took turns with the lead. Petty sensed the pace was slowing about two-thirds of the way into the race and made his move with former timber champion Bubble Economy, with Paddy Young up, stalking him.

"I got to the front and gave him a couple smacks on the shoulder. He didn't flinch a bit," said Petty, who was astride the 8-year-old gelding for owner-trainer Sanna Hendriks. They also withstood the winner's dive through the final fence, which dislodged the top rail.

Haddix took third, and 2008 Hunt Cup winner Askim ran fourth in the feature as an estimated 10,000 looked on under sunny skies.

The stakes victory was the first for South Monarch, bred in Canada by Hendriks' stepfather, George W. Strawbridge Jr., the all-time leading owner in American steeplechasing. The horse was making his first start since being pulled up in the Virginia Gold Cup on May 2.

In the co-features, Fort Henry survived a foul claim to capture the $12,500 John Rush Streett Memorial over Armed Brat and a well-judged ride by Young enabled The Whacker to overtake He's Got Mojo in the $12,500 Sham Aciss.

1st

$30,000, The My Lady's Manor, 3 mi over timber.

Horse…Jockey

South Monarch…J. Petty

Bubble Economy…P. Young

Haddix…J. Griswold

Time: 6:53 1/5

2nd

$12,500, The John Rush Streett Memorial, mdn, 3 mi over timber.

Fort Henry…B. Durkee

Armed Brat…J. Chalfin

Sand Box Rules…C. Read

Time: 6:37

3rd

$12,500, The Sham Aciss, mdn, 3 mi over timber.

The Whacker…P. Young

He's Got Mojo…J. Petty

G'Day G'Day…J. Roberts

Time: 6:52

4th

$5,000, The John D. Schapiro Memorial, amateur, 3 mi over timber.

Kilbreena…D. Nagle

Big Bad Joe…J. Chalfin

Prospectors Strike…J. Batoff

Time: 6:33 4/5