Out; Classy pacer Mach Alert has been ruled out of the Brisbane winter carnival features. Photo by Dan Costello
Richly talented open class performer Mach Alert is out of the winter carnival.
The Mach Three gelding has been battling hoof issues and trainer Ian Gurney has reluctantly made the decision to back off and allow him time to fully recover.
Mach Alert was aiming at the Gr.2 $50,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint (July 9) followed by the Gr.1 $200,000 UBET Blacks A Fake the following week.
“It’s disappointing but the horse comes first, his whole career has been thwarted by injuries and niggling setbacks and this is just another one of those issues that we have to deal with. He’s got bad corns and I’m going to get them sorted, you can’t take on horses like Christen Me, Hectorjayjay, Ohoka Punter, Ultimate Art and Nova when you’re not right so he’s out.” Gurney explained
The former Queensland Derby winner recorded back to back victories recently at Albion Park including the Listed $25,000 Flashing Red but failed at his most recent start.
Mach Alert finished a well beaten 8th at his most recent start in the Gr.3 $30,000 Lucky Creed on June 18 at Albion Park, the race was won by his stablemate Avonnova.
While it’s disappointing for Gurney, the popular horseman still has two chances heading into the open class features with dual Queensland Horse of the Year Avonnova plus former Queensland Pacing Championship winner Ideal Scott.
Both pacers are racing in excellent form.
Avonnova starts on Saturday night in the Listed $25,000 Mr Feelgood at Albion Park where hostilities will be renewed with Ultimate Art.
The free legged pacer ended the winning sequence of Ultimate Art at 8 wins in their most recent outing in the Lucky Creed two weeks ago.
This week, Avonnova faces a tricky draw on the inside of the second-line while Ultimate Art has drawn ideally in gate two in the 2138m mobile start feature.
Ideal Scott will next start in the Sunshine Sprint next week after running a slashing second in the Wondais Mate last week behind the late closing Glenferrie Hood in a time of 1:52.4.
The American Ideal gelding led up in the 1660m feature.
