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Stars Shine On Final Night Of QLD Summer Carnival

16 December 2018

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The 2018 Racing Queensland summer carnival came to a dramatic close last night (Saturday) at Albion Park.

But to the delight of punters, both favourites saluted in their respective features.

The Gr.2 $50,660 Egmont Park Stud Queensland Cup featured reigning Queensland Horse of the Year Colt Thirty One and the mighty four-year-old prevailed by a nose margin defeating Smooth Showgirl and Avonnova in the 2138m mobile start event.

Starting from the outside of the second-line (gate 13), trainer/driver Grant Dixon set alight his richly talented performer early and circled three-wide before parking outside of the race leader Glenferrie Hood.

With a strong speed being set, Colt Thirty One was able to overpower Glenferrie before withstanding the late finishing burst of Smooth Showgirl who came via the passing lane.

It was a nose margin in favour of Colt Thirty One ($1.75) over Smooth Showgirl ($9.50) while Avonnova ($23) was further 2.4 metres away in third.

The winning mile rate was 1:55.0 – sectionals of 30.2, 28.4, 28.4 and 28.8 seconds.

The victory was Colt Thirty One’s 20th at Albion Park and 23rd overall while remaining unbeaten in four starts this campaign.

“He went well and had to fight hard in the straight, I knew it was close but I’m really proud of his effort.” Dixon said.

The Mach Three – Charm Personified entire is raced by his breeders, Kevin and Kay Seymour.

The next major assignment for Colt Thirty One will be the Gr.1 $200,000 Chariots of Fire at TABCORP Park, Menangle in February.

In the trotting feature, the Sydney trained Monaro Mia proved victorious defeating Miracle Rising and Needle in the Gr.2 $40,770 Egmont Park Stud Darrell Alexandre Memorial Trotting Championship Final.

Slowly away and ending up nearer last than first, trainer/driver Darren Hancock bided his time back near the rear before taking off three-wide with a lap remaining in the 2647m standing start feature.

Entering the back straight, Hancock seized the opportunity and sent his big striding mare into overdrive and quickly established a race winning lead.

At the finish, Monaro Mia ($2 fav) defeated Miracle Rising ($10) by 3 metres with a further 8.4 metres back to Needle ($5.50) in third.

The winning mile rate was 2:04.1 with the final 800m metres covered in sectionals of 28.7 and 28.6 seconds.

“A big thanks to Uncle Brian and my son Corey who have looked after the mare and the rest of the team up here over the past three weeks, this mare has thrived and got better each start.” Hancock said.

Monaro Mia is raced by Glenn Holland who was trackside for the victory.

And the victory takes the mare’s prizemoney total past $100,000.

In the $14,999 King of the Claimers Final, victory went the way of Rory Mach for trainer Darrel Graham and driver Jacob Wallace while the $21,160 C2/C5 event was taken out by classy mare Fame Assured who sprintlaned to beat stablemate Aqua Miss in a time of 1:53.6.

Both mares are prepared by Grant Dixon.

Another metropolitan card of racing is scheduled for next Saturday night.