09 July 2015
by Chris Barsby
Ian Gurney has plenty of thinking to do.
The popular horseman prepares reigning Queensland Horse of the Year Avonnova, a deserved winner of last week’s Gr.1 $100,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park in a scorching time of 1;51.3.
And the thinking runs deeper than his next major target.
Next week, Gurney and his great ‘mate’ Avonnova will venture back to Albion Park hoping to claim the Gr.1 $125,000 Blacks A Fake, the main open class feature staged during the Queensland winter carnival.
But with a seismic shift in the Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit calendar announced this year, Gurney has options.
Big money options.
The Inter Dominion series returns to its spiritual home of Perth for the next three years and a new date has been locked away while the famed New Zealand Cup carnival runs on a very close time line.
While it’s possible to attack both carnivals, connections of open class stars are most likely to select one over the other.
And Gurney is no different.
“It’s not an ideal situation to be in but it’s a great problem to have because both carnivals make very strong appeal financially. I’ve heard several trainers are prepared to target one and not both, it will be very demanding both physically and mentally to contest both.” Gurney said.
Both major carnivals are still months away, the New Zealand Cup is staged on the second Tuesday of November each and every year while the Inter Dominion series officially begins on November 27 before concluding on December 13.
The New Zealand Cup is the holy grail of harness racing in the land of the long white cloud while being widely recognized as Australasia’s most prestigious event but the Inter Dominion is the Inter Dominion.
A classic Trans-Tasman rivalry with a long and proud history, the Perth series will revert back to its original format which consists of three heats and final during a two week period which has pleased many.
So what is Gurney thinking months in advance?
“Given how my horse is and how he races best, I think the New Zealand Cup might be the better option for him. The long staying distance will suit him while the stand-start isn’t any concern, it’s a one off event and as a trainer, you can really map your schedule around it.
“The Inter Dominion series switching back to its original format may not entirely suit my horse. I know he goes best when he races on the fresh side so the hard racing in a short window of time may catch up with him pretty quickly.
“And with the New Zealand open class ranks thinning out considerably this year owing to several retirements, now might be the time to head across the ditch. Nathan (Purdon) is convinced I should consider it strongly so I’ll keep tossing it around.”
It is expected that Gurney will have his stable star nominated for both feature events.
Meanwhile, the immediate focus is clearly with next week’s feature.
“I’m thrilled with the way he’s come through last week’s run and his work has been really good since, it was sensational time and he did it himself but he’s feeling very well within himself,” Gurney said.
“The barrier draw was a massive advantage but he was very good, the runner-up (Smolda) went unbelievable and will be better served at the extra distance but I think my guy is up to the challenge.” He added.
The Gr.1 $125,000 Blacks A Fake will be staged over 2680m.
Avonnova was a runner-up last year in this event behind champion pacer Im Themightyquinn.
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