The Million Dollar Pace was never on the agenda for Polly Downing with ELSIE GEM, but with the changes to the regionalised format and finding her in the class she decided to have a shot. After getting checked in the Round 1 heats and missing a placing, driver Dan Morgan encouraged Polly to race her again which paid off in spades.
Thrilled with a Barrier No. 2 draw means that she wont have to work too hard, “I’m just happy to get a good draw and we’re in it with the same chance as the other nine horses. Dan has a great working relationship with ELSIE GEM, she gives him whatever he asks” said Downing.
With the recent birth of son Harry, it’s been a family effort to get ELSIE GEM ready for the final, by far the biggest race of Downing’s career but she’s itching to get back in the gig.
Other career highlights include qualifying this mare in a Breeders Challenge Final as a two-year-old and training into qualification an Inter City Pace Finalist.
Downing believes the regional format is a great opportunity for the locals, giving everyone a chance to win some good prizemoney.