Dual Queensland Horse of the Year Avonnova will remain in Perth.
The West Australian campaign has been extended for an extra month allowing the mighty free-legged pacer to contest the summer carnival features at Gloucester Park next month.
Fresh from his outstanding effort in Sunday’s $1.3 million Inter Dominion Grand Final when 4th behind Lennytheshark, Avonnova will now tackle both the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups.
Co-owner and trainer Ian Gurney believes the opportunity is too good to ignore.
“He’s come through the Inter Dominion in great shape; his run in the final was sensational and his heart rate was super so I can’t be any happier or more proud of the horse. The turnaround is not long and the prizemoney is great so I would be foolish to pass up on this opportunity, it’s not as though I need to be home for any racing there right now.” Gurney said.
The Gr.1 $300,000 Fremantle Cup is scheduled for January 8 while the Gr.1 $450,000 WA Pacing Cup will be held the following week.
The WA Pacing Cup is a leg of the Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit series.
Gurney is also planning on starting his stable star in the $60,000 Village Kid Sprint on New Year’s Day at Gloucester Park.
“At this point, I plan on starting in all three races next month, he’s thrived during his time over here and he’s taken no harm from Sunday’s race so we’ll give it a shot. The fact that many of his rivals from the Inter series have headed home was another big factor in staying in Perth coupled with the prizemoney.
“I know Jimmy (Rattray – trainer/driver) is leaving Devendra here for these races so it’s not going to be easy while the locals are pretty good including Beaudiene Boaz who is set to take on the big boys now, he looked really strong during the past two weeks in the age race features.
“The way the calendar is nowadays it really did look a good fit and I’m happy to stay here, the hospitality over here has been unbelievable. There’s nothing happening back home in Brisbane while the Melbourne and Sydney carnivals are still a few weeks away so I’ve got time to stay here and chase the great prizemoney before heading east again.”
Stablemate Mach Alert has also remained in Perth and Gurney is keen to chase a start in both Cup features with the proven Group 1 performer.
Mach Alert failed to qualify for the Inter Dominion Grand Final after battling some niggling issues throughout the series but Gurney is confident he has sorted his problems.
“He’s clearly better than how he performed during the Inter but he’s had some issues bugging him, nothing serious but just enough to put him off his game but I think I’m winning that battle now.
“I plan on starting him in all of the features at this point too, he’s definitely good enough to compete at that level and with some luck and decent draws, he should prove very competitive.”
Nominations close this week for both the Victoria and Hunter Cups in Melbourne and Gurney outlined that Avonnova would be amongst nominations.
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