The 2016 Racing Queensland UBET winter carnival is fast approaching and in the coming weeks, Queensland harness broadcaster Chris Barsby will profile a number of major players vying for the top prizes.
With 18 Black Type races on the program for the 2016 Winter Carnival, the carnival’s pinnacle in 2016 is the G1 Blacks A Fake, which now boasts an impressive $200,000 in stakes.
The carnival spans from May 28 to July 30.
Here’s a profile featuring top a Queensland open class performer, a very popular pacer who will play a major role throughout the carnival.
Name: Avonnova
Stable Name: Nova
Age: 9yo gelding
Owner: Ian Gurney & Paul Montgomery
Trainer: Ian Gurney
Driver: Shane Graham
Prizemoney: $804,128
Biggest win: Gr.1 Sunshine Sprint, Gr.2 Gold Coast Cup, Gr.2 Newcastle Mile
Target: UBET Picket Fence Challenge – Gr.2 $50k Sunshine Sprint and Gr.1 $200k Blacks A Fake
Trainer says: “A dream come true, you never expect to claim a horse for $20k and then develop into the state’s best pacer but that’s what’s happened with this big fella. It’s been an amazing journey filled with so many special memories highlighted by his Inter Dominion 4th placing in the Grand Final last year in Perth and I believe the journey is far from over, I’m really hoping we can win the Blacks A Fake this year because that’s been our aim since the Inter final.”
Barsby says: “What a story and what a horse! Avonnova has endeared himself to the Queensland public with his gritty and never give-up style of racing coupled with the fact he races without hopples. Since returning from Perth, he actually showing a little more zip in his races and his lead-up form for the Sunshine Sprint and Blacks A Fake is excellent, he’s spot-on for the carnival. I’ve got no doubt; he’ll have a massive cheer squad during the carnival – Queenslander!”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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