Full Of Trot: Star Queensland trotter Our Overanova is a leading chance in the Gr.1 Franco Australian Final this Saturday night at Menangle Photo by Dan Costello - Racing Wrap
Racing Queensland Harness Board Chairman Greg Mitchell is looking forward to the future.
And for a variety of reasons.
But his primary focus this weekend will be watching his star trotter Our Overanova contest the Gr.1 $50,000 Franco Australian Trotters Final at TABCORP Park, Menangle.
The former Kiwi gelding has proven to be an astute and outstanding purchase, bought for a very modest amount, the Monarchy five-year-old has been transformed into a serious trotter of the future under the guidance of leading Queensland mentor Grant Dixon.
Our Overanova has won 18 of his 20 starts in Brisbane which includes the Listed Trotters Marathon plus the Gr.3 Darrell Alexander Memorial Final, both events staged at Albion Park.
His victory in the DJA Final on October 18 this year also gained him an automatic invite to contest the Great Southern Star series in Melbourne next year therefore planting the idea to head south to chase Sydney’s feature this Saturday night.
“I’m keen for him to chase the Great Southern Star and this series in Sydney came up at the right time, it seems a perfect stepping stone to tackling the absolute best trotters in Melbourne. This is without doubt the best trotter I’ve been involved with and I’m keen to give him every opportunity against the best available.” Mitchell said.
Our Overanova has performed with distinction in his two Sydney starts to date finishing a creditable fourth in the opening round of heats behind Australia’s best trotter Keystone Del before an excellent second last week in the final round of heats behind Flying Isa.
On both occasions, Victorian based reinsman John Caldow has handled Our Overanova while Dixon remained based in Brisbane overseeing his big team while his wife Trista is heavily pregnant with their second child.
“He didn’t travel down as well as hoped so his first effort against Keystone Del was very good, I was very happy while both John and Grant were pleased with his performance.
“Last week he was excellent behind a very good trotter again in Flying Isa, a horse that needs no introduction but our guy stuck it out well and kept fighting all the way to the finish line. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I’m sure if we lead we would’ve won.
“With the final set to be staged over the marathon distance, I think that plays to our advantage because he is a very good stayer. The field has fallen away with Keystone Del bypassing the race and early scratching’s but this is only better for our chances so I’m confident another bold showing.”
Mitchell will also be represented on Saturday night by classy performer Devil Dodger who lines up in the Gr.2 $50,000 Smoken Up Championship Final.
Devil Dodger scored in his heat of this series in a career best time of 1;52.6 two weeks ago before finishing ninth in last week’s Gr.1 Cordina Sprint won by Suave Stuey Lombo in 1;52.0.
“I was really pleased for this horse to win in such great time, this was a series that made strong appeal and we’ve got a chance after landing the inside gate.
“He still performed well last week, we got back and he raced keenly which didn’t help but he still made up some ground over the last part of the race.”
Meanwhile, stable star Alleluia returned to the track yesterday at Albion Park where he performed nicely in a stand start trial.
Having his first public hit-out since his slashing performance in the Gr.1 Australasian Breeders Crown Final at TABCORP Park, Melton back in August, Alleluia stepped cleanly and made up good ground without being taxed over the concluding stages.
“It was a nice start point for him and he will obviously improve a fair bit on that because he’s pretty big at the moment, he had a good break and did very well.”
The Art Major four-year-old is being aimed at the Gr.1 Chariots of Fire in Sydney next March while a return trip to New Zealand for the Gr.1 Jewels is also a distinct possibility.
Exciting times ahead for the Board Chairman.