Annasfeatherfoot, a five-year-old Custard The Dragon mare, motored off a pylon trip to score a 1:55.1 victory in the $22,000 final of the Fillies & Mares Claiming Series at Fraser Downs on Sunday (April 17).
Stylomilohos protected position from the pylon post to lead the field by the quarter in :27.3 while Hurried Romance raced parked in third and soon pressed forward after the lead. Making progress to a :56.4 half, Hurried Romance folded into the backstretch, leaving room for Souldsut to vacate pocket and a seam for Annasfeatherfoot to slip in behind the pacesetter to three-quarters in 1:25.2. Souldust and Stylomilohos tussled through the final turn while Annasfeatherfoot readied to pounce from the pocket off the corner. Diving through the open stretch, the Jim Marino trainee edged to the lead late to put a length up on Stylomilohos at the line. Marilyn rallied from off cover to finish third and Souldust settled for fourth.
Owned by Jim Marino, Annasfeatherfoot won her second race from nine starts this season and her 10th from 44 overall, lifting her lifetime earnings to $69,323. Dave Kelly piloted the $11.20 winner.
Mach Steady pulled a monumental upset in the $10,000 Horses & Geldings Open Pace, scoring as nearly the longest shot on the board in 1:51.2.
Driver John Abbott sat Mach Steady in fourth while Tiempo Hanover battled 1-2 favourite Kootenay Santanna to a :25.4 first quarter. Fired up by the challenge, Tiempo Hanover kept the pace hot to a :54 half and three-quarters in 1:22.1 despite Kootenay Santanna faltering through the field. Tiempo Hanover remained resolute on the point off the final turn as Abbott revved Mach Steady for the drive. The eight-year-old Mach Three gelding then lunged for the lead late to slide a half length in front of Tiempo Hanover. Pureform Mr Toffee, off just a point higher than Mach Steady, snagged third and I Ama Rocket took fourth.
Returning $50.60 to win, Mach Steady collected his third win from 12 starts this season and his 20th from 95 overall. The homebred for trainer Randy Rutledge and Jennifer Dodsworth has now earned $179,154.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Fraser Downs.