Dual Queensland Horse of the Year Avonnova has returned to work.
Following his extended Perth campaign which included his monstrous fourth placing behind Lennytheshark in the $1.3 million Inter Dominion Grand Final at Gloucester Park on December 13, the free-legged pacer returned home after contracting a viral infection.
The Ian Gurney trained star turned in a career worst effort in the Village Kid Sprint behind Beaudiene Boaz on January 1 which then forced his scratching from both the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups.
“It’s good to be home and it’s great to have him back in work, he’s only on light duties on jogging and swimming and then we’ll gradually build him up over the coming months. There’s no rush with all the majors over for now.” Gurney said.
The next major target for the Art Major gelding will be his hometown carnival during the month of July at Albion Park.
The program for the 2016 Brisbane winter carnival should be confirmed in the coming weeks and major changes are expected.
Last year, Avonnova claimed his maiden Gr.1 triumph with his all the way victory in the Sunshine Sprint defeating Smolda in 1:51.8 before running a game third in the Blacks A Fake behind Philadelphia Man and Forever Gold.
“The winter carnival is definitely our priority and everything will be built around that carnival so he’ll have a long and strong foundation in readiness for those races. There good money races and he loves racing at Albion Park.
“He seems in good order and he’s happy to be back home after being away for close to ten weeks, the infection he got in Perth knocked him for six but luckily, he’s back to his old self again.
“His effort in the Inter Dominion was just unbelievable and then at his very next start, it was his worst but you knew straight away something wasn’t right and we later had the issue diagnosed before it came much worse. I’m confident you will see the best of him again.”
Also back in work with Gurney is Mach Alert while former Grand Circuit winner Ideal Scott has also joined the stable after transferring from the Sydney stables of Luke and Belinda McCarthy.
The big striding American Ideal gelding has won 15 of his 40 career starts but is winless since taking out the $200,000 Queensland Pacing Championship back in 2013.
Ideal Scott was unplaced in both Menangle starts this campaign.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
