Queensland’s best trotter Our Overanova is switching states and set to become a Victorian
Owner Greg Mitchell made the call following his unplaced effort in last Sunday’s Gr.1 $54,000 Trotters Cup at TABCORP Park, Menangle in Sydney won by On Thunder Road.
With the Gr.1 $300,000 Great Southern Star scheduled for Saturday week at Melton, Mitchell has sent his top performer further south in a bid to qualify for the rich series.
Our Overanova will transfer to stables of outstanding young horseman Mick Stanley.
“Owing to the fact that so many trotting features are available to him over the next couple of months, It makes sense to have him permanently based down there during this time. I have not raced a horse with Mick but I’m looking forward to the experience, his results are excellent and I think he will suit Nova.” Mitchell said.
The New Zealand bred gelding is no stranger to Victoria having competed in several features last year.
During a four start campaign, Our Overanova scored a victory at Melton while boasting placings in his other three starts including the Cochran Cup, Uncle Petrika FFA and the Bruce Skeggs Memorial Trotting Cup at Cranbourne.
Since arriving on Australian shores, Our Overanova has won 29 races for his previous trainers Grant Dixon and Belinda McCarthy while amassing nearly $200,000 in stakes.
Meanwhile, stablestar Alleluia has returned to work this week following a lengthy break.
The Grant Dixon trained gelding has not raced since October last year when unplaced in the Grand Circuit opener at Albion Park, the Gr.1 $200,000 Queensland Pacing Championship won by Our Hi Jinx.
“We wanted to give him a decent break after it was established he was jarring up and becoming a little shin sore, so we stopped immediately after the QPC and sent him straight to the paddock. He’s only a five-year-old and we think he got plenty to offer at the higher level.”
The Brisbane winter carnival in July at Albion Park is the immediate focus for Alleluia before connections start mapping an interstate campaign later in the year.
Alleluia will commence jog work before being sent to Washpool Lodge for further work on the water walker.
“We plan to have him jogged up for four weeks before we send him to WashpoolLodge where he will undergo further work on the water walker, I think this will be very beneficial for him.
“We all know he’s got talent and I want to make sure he gets every opportunity to make a full and complete recovery before taking on the best pacers in the land again. He’s met and beat some of the best pacers going around and I’m confident he can return to that type of form.
“He spelled really well and looks great, he’s carrying plenty of extra weight but it won’t take long before he starts stripping that excess baggage off again.”
Alleluia has won 17 of his 54 starts while amassing more than $300,000 in stakes.
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