Ready: Open class star Avonnova kicks off his current campaign at Albion Park this Saturday night Photo by Joedy Whitaker Photography
Spring has officially arrived.
And the opening leg of the Grand Circuit season starts with the $200,000 Garrards Queensland Pacing Championship at Albion Park next month.
So, the big names are starting to warm up for the prized event.
And the biggest name in the sunshine state is Avonnova; the free legged pacer has rocketed his way to the top following a spate of top efforts this year.
The former Sydney claimer has been transformed into a equine wrecking ball under the leadership of his owner/trainer Ian Gurney and only the greats have stood in between him and further glory.
Avonnova has won 11 of his 19 starts since being claimed out of a Goulburn event last October.
And during his last 11 starts, only two horses have conquered him.
Those two horses happen to be the two biggest names in the sport in Beautide and Im Themightyquinn (twice).
The Art Major gelding is resuming since his last start placing in the Gr.1 $100,000 Blacks A Fake at Albion on July 19 where he was beaten narrowly behind Im Themightyquinn in a thrilling finish.
Avonnova starts tomorrow night (Saturday) in the $14,000 Kelse’s Cup over 2138m where he has drawn gate seven, the outside of the front-line.
“He’s ready to go again and I’m happy with where he’s at right now, he enjoyed his down time and has trained on well in readiness for this campaign. The two main targets with him will be the QPC followed by the Miracle Mile in Sydney.” Gurney said.
Two recent trials at Albion Park have indicated that Avonnova has returned bigger and better than ever before with the latest effort coming on Tuesday this week.
Avonnova won the 1660m trial in a time of 1;54.6 and was never troubled.
“He probably needed that extra trial this week because he had a good blow afterwards but he’s very bright and happy within himself so I’m happy to get his current campaign underway.
“After speaking with Shane (Graham – driver) following the trial, he’s given me plenty of confidence. He has led in both trials and Shane tells me he felt great, he never pushed him out in either trial and just let him cruise up the straight.
“On paper, the draw doesn’t look that good but the more I look at the field the more I think he’ll be going forward. I don’t want a hard run for him first-up but I think rolling forward is the best plan of attack. The QPC is a month away followed by the Miracle Mile, there our big targets this season.”
Other highlights on Saturday night include the race return of talented pacer Wicked Style, who resumes in the opening race over 2138m.
A winner of his last five starts before injuring his offside front tendon back in January, the Shawn Grimsey trained pacer has trialled well recently in preparation for his race return, the latest trial was against Avonnova on September 9.
And squaregaiting star Our Overanova is aiming at winning his 14th start in Queensland from 15 starts.
The former Kiwi gelding, raced by Queensland Harness Racing Board Chairman Greg Mitchell, has raced through his grades collecting several records along the way.
Currently, Our Overanova is the track record holder across five categories/distances at three different tracks in south-east Queensland.
Already successful in the Listed Trotters Marathon at Albion Park, the Monarchy five-year-old is chasing another feature event next month, the Gr.2 $30,000 Darrell Alexander Memorial Trotting Championship.
Our Overanova starts in the final race tomorrow night, the Centenary Classic Mercedes Benz Trotters Mobile where he has drawn gate two.
