Sweeping to the front past the quarter, Icy Blue Scooter fought off all challenges to win the $50,000 Jim Vinnell Memorial Final at Fraser Downs on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Driver Nate Sobey circled Icy Blue Scooter to the front while 8-5 favourite Boiling Oar yielded for the pocket past a :26.2 first quarter. Sabine Pass, racing eighth, launched first over from the rear of the field heading to the second turn as Icy Blue Scooter snagged a breather through a :55.3 half.
Sabine Pass continued to progress into the backstretch and flushed cover from Proberts Legacy, who charged towards Icy Blue Scooter to race within a length of the lead passing three-quarters in 1:23.2. Icy Blue Scooter turned away Proberts Legacy around the final turn and spun into the stretch having only Boiling Oar to deter. The favourite narrowed on Icy Blue Scooter’s margin through the lane but hit the finish three-quarter lengths shy of victory in a 1:51.3 mile. Peace Out Posse took third.
A six-year-old gelding by Blue Burner, Icy Blue Scooter won his 15th race from 29 starts this season and his 27th from 119 overall, earning $207,463. Paul Davies conditions the $5.90 winner for owners Nate Sobey, Diane Bertrand and Robert Gilhespy.
Also on the 11-race card, trainer John Chappell steered three of his pupils to victory. Chappell visited the winner’s circle first with Three Grand ($3.10) off a first-over grind to a head victory, then launched Burners Promise ($42.70) off a helmet to land a nose in front on the finish in the race following. His third win came two races later when Just A Start ($3.40) took command before the half and strolled to a half-length victory.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.