Oil Town Emelia was a disappointing fifth when sent off as the favourite in last weekend’s elimination round of the Marian Young Stakes at Fraser Downs, but she bounced back and prevailed to win a three-horse photo
in Sunday’s $15,000 final.
With Jim Burke at the controls, the three-year-old daughter of Emery Flight-Oil Town Tara kicked off cover in the late stages of the mile en route to pulling off the 8-1 upset.
Burke and Oil Town Emelia tucked into the four-hole while Savemethelastdance rolled the nine-horse field past the opening marker in :29.1. Positions were unchanged at the mid-way point in :58.4, but things started to change when the field bunched up on the way to the three-quarter pole.
Savemethelastdance was still in command at that post in 1:28, but Strange Desire was driving first over and Oil Town Amelia was starting a three-wide rally. A :30-second closing panel for Oil Town Emelia was just enough for her to stick a nose in front of race favourite Savemethelastdance at the finish line, with Baja Beach just a head behind the top two finishers.
Marlon Rosychuk trains the four-time winner for owner Terry Hamilton of Lethbridge, AB. The win improved her 2011 record to 3-1-0 in seven starts while pushing her lifetime earnings to $23,641.
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Fraser Downs.