Avonnova in first steps on Picket Fence journey

Dual Queensland harness racing 'Horse of the Year' Avonnova took the first steps towards winning the inaugural UBET Picket Fence Bonus after scoring a popular win in tonight’s feature Lucky Creed Pace (2680m) at Albion Park.

The nine-year-old gelding took up the running in the Group 3 event and then fended off the challenge from the in-form Ultimate Art in a two-horse war over the concluding stages to win in near track record time (1:55.2).

The victory gave the popular Queenslander the perfect start to his QLD Winter Racing Carnival preparation as he tries to win his first Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park – a race he has been placed in twice over the past two years.

If Avonnova can win again en route to the Blacks A Fake, it would also give trainer and part-owner Ian Gurney the chance to claim the $50,000 UBET Picket Fence Bonus for open class pacers on the final night of the QLD Winter Racing Carnival on July 16.

“I’ve got one win up, only two to go,” joked Gurney of the UBET Picket Fence Bonus.

“He’ll be better in a month’s time. He’s going to improve a lot off that run.”

Gurney said he was proud of the affection the Queensland crowds continue to show for his ‘old warrior’.

“They love him, everyone loves ‘Nova’,” said Gurney.

“He’s just an old warrior. He’s beautiful and quiet – a magnificent animal.

“I think he’s got a little fan club.”

There was also plenty of merit in the performance of Ultimate Art, who had won eight straight races in the lead-up to the race but was forced to work hard outside Avonnova after being beaten for pace early.

“It’s only 0.2 seconds outside the track record. I knew Avonnova would run a big race but the second horse (Ultimate Art) went massively I thought, he probably was the run of the race,” said Gurney.

In the other feature races on the night, longtime owner John Mammino recorded an emotional first ever Black Type race win when Bonnie Jujon took out the Group 2 QBRED Breeders Classic Final for 2yo Fillies.

Mammino has been an owner since the early 1980s and uses the “Jujon” prefix when naming all his horses in tribute to his wife Judy, who passed away four years ago.

“I’m very excited, I’m still shaking,” said Mammino.

“It was a great thrill.

“I was a bit worried about the draw as she drew eight but it was a fantastic drive.

“He (Bart Cockburn) got to the one-one from barrier eight, he is a good driver.”

In the Group 2 QBRED Breeders Classic final for 2yo Colts and Geldings, Maestro Bellini made it two wins on the trot for trainer/driver Chris Petroff.

After tonight’s wins, both Bonnie Jujon and Maestro Bellini are eligible to win the $20,500 UBET Picket Fence Bonus if they can win another race en route to the finals of the 2yo Triad Final on July 16.

Adam Gardini