Prepared by Chambers Flat horseman Ian Gurney, nine-year-old gelding Avonnova has been a star in the ‘Sunshine State’ for a number of seasons.
Performing well during the Inter Dominion Championship in Perth, Avonnova successfully qualified for the $1.3 million Inter Dominion Grand Final (2536m); he would run fourth behind Lennytheshark.
Avonnova has raced twice this campaign for a fifth and third placing, the latest when racing three back on the pegs before being held up at a crucial stage and charging strongly to the line to finish behind Ohoka Punter and Majestic Mach.
The son of Art Major will meet both of those horses again with Majestic Mach likely to set the pace from barrier one and Ohoka Punter drawn out in barrier six. Avonnova is drawn alongside Majestic Mach but Gurney doesn’t expect Grant Dixon’s six-year-old to relinquish the lead over the sprint journey.
“It is the first decent draw he has had in 15 months,” Gurney told harnessnews.com.au.
“I will be looking to make good use of it, but he is likely to end up in the death (seat).
“Majestic Mach is very quick out and I don’t know if he will hand up from the pole.”
Online bookmaker Sportsbet has installed Avonnova as the $2.05 favourite ahead of Ohoka Punter at $2.80 and Majestic Mach at $4.
Avonnova’s sole Group 1 victory came in the Sunshine Sprint (1660m) over course and distance in 2015 when leading throughout to defeat Smolda in a 1:51.3 mile rate.
He will defend his title in that race on July 9, it will be held as a Group 2 event this year, before competing in the Group 1 The Blacks A Fake (2680m) at the same track on July 16.
“After this week I will just keep him ticking along and aim for the main races during the carnival,” Gurney said.
“At this stage I don’t think I will do any more travelling with him.”
Gurney said that Avonnova would need to find his best form before considering any other interstate trips.
Ohoka Punter is now trained by Nathan Purdon in Queensland and will be on the same path as Avonnova during the carnival; they will be joined by Victorian rising star Hectorjayjay who will join Lennytheshark in Perth for the Inter Dominion later in the year.
Re-published with permission from www.racingbase.com