Star pacer aiming for hat-trick in top award
RACING Queensland has announced the finalists for the 2020 TAB Queensland Harness Awards.
To be staged at Fridays Riverside on February 21, the Queensland Harness Awards will acknowledge the Sunshine State’s most outstanding standardbreds and participants over the past season.
Having been named Horse of the Year in 2018 and 2019, Colt Thirty One will be looking to make it a hat-trick following another stellar season at the top level.
The Grant Dixon-trained pacer has been joined by stablemate Governor Jujon and Chantal Turpin’s star trotter, Majestic Simon, as the three nominees in the hunt for the top gong.
Colt Thirty One was at his consistent best in 2019/20, claiming three Group Threes, as well as the 2019 Group Two Queensland Cup.
The reigning Horse of the Year also ran a formidable second in the 2020 Queensland Cup and the Group One Blacks A Fake.
Governor Jujon continued his dominant two-year-old season by claiming five Group races in Queensland, highlighted by the $50,000 Group Two South East Queensland Derby.
A successful trip interstate also saw the rising star claim the Group Two Simpson Memorial, as well as taking out heats of the New South Wales and Victoria Derby – finishing second in the Final for the latter.
One of the state’s premier trotters Majestic Simon rounds out the nominations on the strength of his 10 wins and six placings from 29 starts – including the Group Two Darrell Alexander Trotting Championship and Group Three Jim McNeil Trotting Championship.
“This year’s finalists for the Horse of the Year highlight the quality and strength in Queensland’s harness racing ranks at present,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“It would be a well-deserved honour to see Colt Thirty One claim a third title, however both his stablemate Governor Jujon and Majestic Simon have had stellar seasons and would be befitting of the honour.
“It should be a wonderful evening for the industry to come together and celebrate the accomplishments of our equine and human participants, and I look forward to seeing everyone there.”
More than 30 Awards of distinction will be presented to Queensland’s outstanding achievers including of the Year and Driver of the Year, as well as Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg club awards.
2020 Harness Awards Finalists
Queensland Harness Horse of the Year
Colt Thirty One – (Trained by Grant Dixon and owned by Solid Earth Pty Ltd Kevin & Kay Seymour). 34 starts last season for 14 wins, 13 placings and $276,849. Highlights: Four Group wins and runner up in the Group 1 Blacks A Fake and Group 2 Queensland Cup.
Governor Jujon – (Trained by Grant Dixon and owned by Dr John Mammino). 18 starts for 12 wins, three placings and $227,748. Highlights: Won five Group races in Queensland, as well as the Group 2 Simpson Memorial in Menangle, and heats of both the NSW and Victoria Derby (running second in the Final).
Majestic Simon – (Trained by Chantal Turpin and owned by Ross Patrick and Pam Hopper). 29 starts for 10 wins, six placings and $86,543. Highlights: Won the Group 2 Darrell Alexander Trotting Championship and Group 3 Jim McNeil Trotting Championship.
Queensland Aged Pacer of the Year
Colt Thirty One
Justalittle Torque
Maywyns Best
Queensland Trotter of the Year
Gee Up Neddy
Greg The Great
Majestic Simon
Queensland Filly or Mare of the Year
Jasper
Justalittle Torque
Pelosi
Queensland 3YO Pacer of the Year
Governor Jujon
Pelosi
Will The Wizard
Queensland 2YO Pacer of the Year
Big Wheels
Frontliner
Jasper
Queensland Broodmare of the Year
Bangkok Dancer
Torque In Motion
Washington Lass
Queensland Breeder of the Year
Burwood Stud
Ian Corazzol
Solid Earth PTY LTD (Kevin and Kay Seymour)
Queensland Owner of the Year
GSM Racing P/L (Greg Mitchell)
Dr John Mammino
Solid Earth PTY LTD (Kevin and Kay Seymour)
- RQ Media