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2020 TAB Queensland Harness Awards finalists announced

4 February 2021

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Racing Queensland has today announced the finalists for the 2020 TAB Queensland Harness Awards.

Staged at Fridays Riverside on Sunday, 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 of triumphs following another stellar season of performances at the top level.

The Grant Dixon-trained pacer will be 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 3 races, as well as a triumph in the 2019 Group 2 Queensland Cup followed by a second placing in its 2020 iteration.

The reigning Horse of the Year also ran a formidable second placing to the nation’s premier pacer, King Of Swing, while attempting to defend his crown in the Group 1 Blacks A Fake. 

Dixon looks well-placed to claim the evening’s highest honour, with Governor Jujon also in contention.

The gun three-year-old continued on from his dominant two-year-old season by claiming five Group races in Queensland, highlighted by the $50,000 Group 2 South East Queensland Derby.

A successful trip interstate also saw the rising star claim the Group 2 2020 Simpson Memorial, as well as taking out heats of both the NSW and Victoria Derby, going on to finish second in the Final for the latter.

One of the state’s premier trotters in Majestic Simon rounds out the nominations, after claiming 10 wins and six placings from 29 starts – including the Group 2 Darrell Alexander Trotting Championship and Group 3 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.”  

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, as well as Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg club awards.

The star-studded event includes entertainment, canapes and beverage package.

Click here for more information on the 2020 TAB Queensland Harness 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)