Ian Gurney is packing a great one/two combination.
The Chambers Flat horseman prepares reigning Queensland Horse of the Year Avonnova while he recently made the decision to bring home his other capable open class performer Mach Alert.
The former Queensland Derby winner has been based in Sydney in recent times with Luke and Belinda McCarthy before a decision was made to return to Brisbane and bolster the open class ranks in the sunshine state.
Mach Alert made a winning return after blitzing his rivals at Albion Park yesterday (Tuesday) when he led throughout in the 2138m event defeating former glamour juvenile Majestic Mach and Lucky Voodoo.
He paced a mile rate of 1;57.6 while finishing off his final split in an eye popping 26.7 seconds.
“He did what I expected and Shaney (Graham – driver) said he felt very comfortable doing it, he’s a great front running type of horse and he has so much ability but he’s constantly battled niggling issues throughout his career.” Gurney said.
Mach Alert has now won six of his 10 starts at Albion Park and the obvious target will be the Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit opener on October 24, the $200,000 Queensland Pacing Championship.
Avonnova is also being aimed at the same feature event.
The free legged pacer remains in full work and will start in the coming weeks, Gurney planned on starting him this weekend before realizing that Graham was committed to Catcha Lefty in Ballarat this Saturday where he tackles a semi-final of the Australasian Breeders Crown.
“I will try my best to separate both horses in the coming months before the spring carnival features, both horses like to be kept fresh so it should work out well. Well, that’s the plan anyway so we will just monitor the situation.
“Mach Alert is a seriously talented horse but he’s had all sorts of issue over the past couple of seasons now including two throat operations plus he had a suspensory issue about 18 months ago. He’s done an amazing job to achieve what he’s done and with careful management, he can still be a good earner.
“He’s got great gate speed and he can run very sectionals, he’s paced in 1;50 and he was recently placed against Smolda at Menangle. Avonnova will have his work cut out beating him if he got an easy lead, hopefully both keep up their good form heading into the spring carnival.”
Following the Queensland spring carnival, plans for Avonnova remain a little unclear.
Gurney decided to bypass the New Zealand Cup and did not nominate his stable star and will not nominate him for the Inter Dominion which will be staged later this year in Perth.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to make to pass on the New Zealand Cup but after plenty of consideration with Paul (Montgomery/ co-owner), I didn’t want to go all that way and have what happened again like what we went through at Redcliffe, that was a disaster and a total let down.
“The Inter Dominion won’t suit him given the return to the traditional format so that’s not going to happen either, I went over there recently and had a good look around but I won’t nominate. If I continue to look after him, I’m hoping to get another two good seasons out of him.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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