In the wake of consecutive triumphs last month at Fraser Downs, trainer Jim Marino's Western Summit has ascended in class to vanquish the top distaffers in the featured finale worth $10,000 on Friday, 1st of March.
Following a brace of victories at the $14,000 claiming tier, the eight-year-old Vertical Horizon-Kismet Killean mare faced a $25,000 challenge against Preferred mares.
Pilot Scott Knight and Western Summit made a swift start from the fifth post, reclaiming the lead when Hang On Sloopy (Kelly Hoerdt) surged past after a hard-fought :27.2 first quarter on the 'good' track. After easing the pace to reach the half in :58.2, Western Summit encountered the slight 9-5 favourite, Grey Sea (John Abbott), who battled from the outermost post throughout.
Western Summit held off Grey Sea as they hit three-quarters in 1:26.4 and pulled away entering the homestretch, clinching her third consecutive win in 1:56.2. Grey Sea fought for the runner-up spot with 24-1 longshot Gin Is Better (Clint Warrington) making a late surge, but the outsider prevailed in the photo finish.
Western Summit was the second favourite on the board and paid out at $5.90 for the win. She has now won three out of four races this year for Marino, who co-owns her with Paul Sanders. This victory marked her 27th career win, boosting her earnings to $189,432.
Western Summit capped off the late Daily Double for Marino, who also saw Million Reasons secure her third consecutive victory with a 1:57.2 performance in the race prior. Knight piloted both of Marino's horses after earlier partnering with a winner from the Brent Hill stable, Watching Marena, to kick off the eight-race card.