The 2019 TAB Summer Harness Racing Carnival will commence on Saturday (7/12) with the opening round heats of the $50,000 DJA Trotting Championship.
With the Group 1 feature headlining this year’s Summer Carnival, Albion Park will host three black-type races throughout December with almost $500,000 in stakes available.
Among the acceptors for the DJA Trotting Championship is two-time champion, Our Overanova, who triumphed in the event in 2014 and 2017, along with Empire Bay and NSW raider, Princess Kenny.
In total, 32 horses have accepted for the newly elevated Group 1, forcing three heats for the opening night.
"We’d like to see another Queensland winner and keep the trophy this side of the border,” Our Overanova’s owner Greg Mitchell said.
“He’s fit; he’s heathy; he’s well; and he doesn’t know how old he is, so he’ll be giving it his best shot.”
In addition to the DJA heats, the Group 3 The Be Good Johnny Sprint will be held on Saturday with the Chantal Turpin stable looking well placed after Mattgregor drew gate one and stablemate, Watch Pulp Fiction, drew gate two.
The Jack Butler-trained Sams The Master looks well placed in gate four, while Donny Smith’s, Always In Command, is seeking his eighth consecutive win and will come from gate five.
Despite his winning streak, which includes back-to-back victories at Albion Park, Smith was not getting ahead of himself.
“Even though he’s racing well there is still room for improvement in him yet,” Smith said.
Heats for the DJA Trotting Championship will continue next Saturday ahead of the Final on December 21, which will be run in conjunction with the $50,000 Group 2 Queensland Cup.
The Redcliffe Christmas Cup on Wednesday, December 18 is among the other Summer Carnival highlights.
