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Aztec Aces Rivals In QLD Cup

17 December 2017

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The 2017 Racing Queensland summer carnival has come to a close.

And the leading Sydney stable of Kerryann Turner and Robbie Morris will head home with fond memories after enjoying tremendous success over the past three weeks.

Open class performer Aztec Bromac claimed back to back features following his triumph in last night’s (Saturday) Gr.2 $60,540 Egmont Park Stud Queensland Cup defeating the Ian Gurney trained duo of Avonnova and Smooth Showgirl in the 2138m feature.

It was the inaugural running of the Queensland Cup, replacing the Gold Coast Cup.

Aztec Bromac ($4) ran down aging warrior Avonnova ($1.90) in an epic home straight battle to score by a 1.5m while Smooth Showgirl ($26.90) was a further 9m away in third.

The mile rate was 1:54.2 – well outside of the track record of 1:52.4 set by Bling It On back in 2015 when successful in the Gold Coast Cup.

Connections of Aztec Bromac were still celebrating the success of the Christmas Cup a week earlier before being overjoyed with their latest triumph.

It was a masterful winning drive from Morris.

“This was the main race of the carnival and we’ve landed it, it’s a very satisfying feeling. We’ve enjoyed great success again in Queensland and the hospitality we’ve received has been absolutely super, a big thanks to Aileen Smith and Greg Franklin in particular.” Morris said.

Aztec Bromac has now won 16 races with earnings just shy of $300,000.

The American Ideal gelding is raced by Brian McFadden and Tanya Harris.

Last year, the Turner/Morris stable enjoyed great success owing to the deeds of now North American based Iam Mr Brightside.

The Gr.2 $40,630 Egmont Park Stud Darrell Alexander Memorial Trotting Championship Final was claimed by star local Our Overanova for trainer/driver Grant Dixon.

Our Overanova ($7.20) started from a handicap of 40m in the 2647m before downing Releven Dream ($25) by a half head margin while Blazing Under Fire ($2.80 fav) was a further 2.5m away in third.

The mile rate was 2:00.3 – a new track record which eclipsed the previous mark of 2:00.8 which was held by Releven Dream.

Our Overanova now holds four Albion Park track records – both 1660m and 2138m mobile starts and the 2138m and 2647m stand starts.

It proved to be his maiden success in the state’s biggest trotting event after three previous attempts.

The Monarchy gelding is raced by Greg Mitchell and has now won 44 races and more than $333,000 in stakes.