The finalists for the 2019 TAB Queensland Harness Awards have been announced today with the reigning Horse-of-the-Year in contention to go back-to-back.
Staged at Moda Events Portside on Sunday, September 29, the Harness Awards will acknowledge the Sunshine State’s most outstanding standardbreds over the past year.
Having been named Horse of the Year in 2018, Colt Thirty One is among five nominees for the night’s top gong after winning 13 of 17 starts including the $250,000 Blacks A Fake.
The Grant Dixon-trained pacer faces stiff competition, however, with Governor Jujon, Lilac Flash NZ, Pelosi and Smart As Camm Be also boasting strong claims for the title.
During the racing season, Governor Jujon won all but one of his six starts including the Group 1 Redcliffe Yearling Sales 2YO Final for the Dixon stable.
Like Dixon, Kylie Rasmussen has two horses in contention with Lilac Flash NZ winning 14 of 28 starts – he placed a further seven times – while Smart As Camm Be won seven of eight starts including the Group 2 QBRED 3YO Triad Final.
Not to be outdone, Pelosi, trained by Anna Woodmansey, won all but two of her eight starts including the Group 1 APG 2YO Final and the Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge 2YO Fillies Final.
“The finalists in the Horse of the Year category are outstanding,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“It should be a fantastic evening for the industry to come together and celebrate the accomplishments of our equine and human participants.”
In total, over 30 Awards of distinction will be presented to Queensland's outstanding achievers including Horse of the Year, Trainer of the Year and Driver of the Year.
The gala evening includes entertainment, a three-course meal and beverage package.
Click here for more information on the 2019 TAB Queensland Harness Awards.
2019 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) 17 starts last season for 13 wins, three placings and $320,338). Highlights: Three Listed wins and the Group 1 $250,000 Blacks A Fake).
- Governor Jujon - (Trained by Grant Dixon and owned by Dr John Mammino). Six starts for five wins, one placing and $110,879. Highlight: Won the Group 1 $100,00 Redcliffe Yearling Sales 2YO Final.
- Lilac Flash NZ - (Trained by Kylie Rasmussen and owned by Darren Wilson). Twenty eight starts for 14 wins, seven placings and $120,344. Highlight: Ran second in the Listed $25,000 Mr Feelgood Open.
- Pelosi - (Trained by Anna Woodmansey and owned by Wayne Honan). Eight starts for six win, one placing and $254,238. Highlight: Won the Group 1 $350,000 APG 2YO Final, and the Group 1 $125,000 NSW Breeders Challenge 2YO Fillies Final.
- Smart As Camm Be - (Trained by Kylie Rasmussen and owned by Chris and Pam Smart). Eight starts for seven wins and $74,837. Highlight: Won the Group 2 $50,000 QBRED 3YO Triad Final.
Queensland Aged Pacer of the Year
- Colt Thirty One
- Glenferrie Hood NZ
- Lilac Flash NZ
- Ohoka Punter NZ
Queensland Filly or Mare of the Year
- Argyle Beach NZ
- Fame Assured
- Pelosi
- Smart As Camm Be
Queensland 3YO Pacer of the Year
- Escalera NZ
- Lifes Black
- Smart As Camm Be
- Trojan Banner NZ
Queensland 2YO Pacer of the Year
- A Rainbow Delight
- Governor Jujon
- Jiggle and Jive
- Pelosi
Queensland Trotter of the Year
- Empire Bay
- Miracle Rising NZ
- Northern Muscle
- Our Overanova NZ
Queensland Broodmare of the Year
- Charm Personified
- Lets Rocknroll
- Too Smart For You
- Versace Woman NZ
Queensland Breeder of the Year
- Burwood Stud
- Jeff & Le-ann Wallace
- Solid Earth PTY LTD (Kevin and Kay Seymour)
- Trevor & Louise O’Reilly
Queensland Owner of the Year
- GSM Racing P/L (Greg Mitchell)
- Dr John Mammino
- Ron & Stacey Sallis
- Solid Earth PTY LTD (Kevin and Kay Seymour)