Trainer Randy Rutledge's homebred pacer Mach Steady benefitted from some class relief and delivered as the even-money favourite with a passing lane plunge in Fraser Downs's Friday night feature.
Dropping out of the Open class that has been dominated by Outlaw C My Shadow throughout the meet, Mach Steady picked up the services of driver Brandon Campbell for the featured $8,500 high-end conditioned-claiming pace. After following mid-pack through opening splits of :27.2 and :57.1, the popular duo tracked the cover of Outlaw Duke Worthy (John Vukelich) three-wide on the way to three-quarters in 1:26 then ducked to the pylons and shot through in the stretch for the 1:55 victory by 1-3/4 lengths.
Mach Steady returned $4.30 to win. Pacesetter Redneck Jim (Scott Knight), the 5-2 second choice, turned back the parked out Loaded Dragon (Kelly Hoerdt) early on then held off 19-1 shot Outlaw Duke Worthy for the runner-up honours.
Owned and bred by Rutledge and Jennifer Dodsworth, the nine-year-old Mach Three-Forever Holy gelding earned his first win of the season from five starts and his 23rd victory overall, pushing his bankroll to $209,789.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.