Racing Queensland has today announced the finalists for the 2021 TAB Queensland Harness Awards.
Staged at Howard Smith Wharves on Sunday, February 20, the Queensland Harness Awards will acknowledge the Sunshine State’s most outstanding standardbreds and participants over the past season.
A fresh crop of pacing stars make up the nominations for 2021 TAB Queensland Harness Horse of the Year, with Cat King Cole, Jeradas Delight, L L Cool J, Teddy Disco and Turn It Up all in the hunt for the top gong.
Jeradas Delight shocked the harness racing world during the inaugural TAB Queensland Constellations, claiming the $100,000 Group 1 Golden Girl at a $151 price, taking down a number of Australasia’s best pacers and delivering trainer Jack Buter and driver Brendan Barnes a maiden top-level triumph in the process.
Two-year-old stars Teddy Disco and Cat King Cole also shared Group 1 glory and multiple stakes wins in season 2021, confirming their status as two of Queensland’s most promising pacers in 2022.
Vicki’s Rasmussen’s ever consistent pair, Turn It Up and L L Cool J, round out the finalists for the evening’s major award, sharing 12 wins and more than $180,000 in prize money between them.
“This year’s finalists for the Horse of the Year represent the new stars of Queensland harness racing, and underpin the emerging quality and strength in our ranks at present,” Racing Minister Grace Grace said.
“With three Group 1 winners and a total of 10 feature races shared between the finalists, it’s sure to be a hotly contested battle for the top gong.
“As always, it will 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.
There will also be four new Queensland Harness Racing Hall of Fame inductees announced on the evening.
The star-studded event includes entertainment, canapes and beverage package.
Click here for more information on the 2021 TAB Queensland Harness Awards.
2021 Harness Awards Finalists
Queensland Harness Horse of the Year
Cat King Cole – trained by Darren Weeks.
Season 2021: eight starts for six wins, one placing and $108,965 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of the Group 1 QBRED Triad Final – 2YO Fillies, Group 2 APG Gold Bullion Final – 2YO Fillies, and Listed QBRED Breeders Final – 2YO Fillies.
Jeradas Delight – trained by Jack Butler.
Season 2021: 24 starts for six wins, six placings and $120,877 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of both the Group 1 Golden Girl and Listed Queen Of The Creek.
L L Cool J (NZ) – trained by Vicki Rasmussen.
Season 2021: 15 starts for six wins, three placings and $91,877 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of the Group 2 Redcliffe Gold Cup, Listed Chris Garrard’s Patrons Purse, and Doolittle Lodge Christmas Cup.
Teddy Disco – trained by Shawn Grimsey.
Season 2021: 10 starts for seven wins, two placings and $120,758 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of the Group 1 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series 2YO Final, Group 3 QBRED For Life 2YO Feature, and Listed Wayne Wilson Paleface Adios Classic.
Turn It Up – trained by Vicki Rasmussen.
Season 2021: 18 starts for six wins, four placings and $94,219 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of the AQWA Constructions Christmas Cup, and runner up in the Listed Lucky Creed Open Pace.