Racing Queensland has unveiled the finalists for the 2023 Queensland Harness Awards.
Staged at Waters Edge at Portside Wharf on Sunday, February 18, the Queensland Harness Awards will acknowledge the Sunshine State’s outstanding pacers, trotters and participants throughout 2023.
Ever-consistent pacers Blacksadance, Future Assured and Speak The Truth join reigning Horse of the Year and Inter Dominion champion, Leap To Fame, in the running for the top gong.
Leap To Fame, who also claimed both the Group 1 Sunshine Sprint and The Rising Sun as part of the Queensland Constellations also leads the finalists for Queensland Aged Pacer of the Year.
Other Group 1 performers amongst the nominations for an award on the night include Rylee Rhayne Bow, Torque Like Motion, Quik Change and For Real Life.
“The Queensland Harness Awards is a fitting way for the industry to celebrate the accomplishments of our equine and human participants,” RQ CEO Jason Scott said.
“Over the past year, there have been some incredible accomplishments at home and inter-state, led by Nathan Dawson’s record-breaking season in the sulky, along with Leap To Fame’s Inter Dominion win.
“The strength in our ranks is highlighted through this year’s finalists, and I look forward to welcoming our participants for what should be an enjoyable evening.”
In total, close to 40 Awards of distinction will be presented to Queensland's outstanding achievers including Horse of the Year, Trotter of the Year, Trainer of the Year and Driver of the Year, as well as Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg club awards.
Both Harness Racing Australia and Breeders, Owners, Trainers, Reinsperson Association annual awards will also be announced, as well as the Queensland Off-The-Track Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year.
Click here for more information on the 2023 Queensland Harness Awards.
2023 Harness Awards Finalists
The established voting criteria states that horses must be trained in Queensland for a minimum of six months to be eligible as finalists.
Queensland Harness Horse of the Year
Blacksadance – trained by Chantal Turpin
Season 2023: 19 starts for six wins, five placings and $135,543 in prize money.
Highlights: Six-time Open Pace winner.
Future Assured – trained by Trent Dawson
Season 2023: 16 starts for seven wins, two placings and $139,630 in prize money.
Highlights: Listed Be Good Johnny Sprint winner, Inter Dominion heat winner, three-time Open Pace winner and Queensland Sun runner-up.
Leap To Fame – trained by Grant Dixon
Season 2023: 16 starts for 12 wins, three placings and $1,275,970 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of the Group 1 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship, Group 1 Sunshine Sprint, Group 1 The Rising Sun, Group 2 Queensland Cup and Group 3 Patron’s Purse. Placed in both the Group 1 Blacks A Fake and Victoria Cup, as well as The Eureka.
Speak The Truth – trained by Shannon Price
Season 2023: 13 starts for six wins, three placings and $303,438 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of The Hayden, the Queensland Sun, the Listed QBRED 4YO Entires Final, and an Inter Dominion heat.
Queensland Aged Pacer of the Year
- Blacksadance
- Future Assured
- Leap To Fame
- Speak The Truth
Queensland Trotter of the Year
- Adelle NZ
- Sir Fahrenheit NZ
- Sugarinspice NZ
- Van Sank
Queensland 3YO Pacer of the Year
- For Real Life
- Sure Thing Captain
- Torque Like Motion
Queensland 2YO Pacer of the Year
- Bettor Cullect
- Quik Change
- Rylee Rhayne Bow
Queensland Juvenile Trotter of the Year
- Agent Black
- Dextrous Dexter
- Gait With Grace
Queensland Filly or Mare of the Year
- Adelle NZ
- Rylee Rhayne Bow
- Torque Like Motion
- Uptown Beachgirl
Queensland Broodmare of the Year
- French Charm
- Mathilda Diventa
- Morethanmeetstheye
- Washington Lass NZ
Queensland Breeder of the Year
- Burwood Stud
- Ian Corazzol
- Jeff & Le-Ann Wallace
- Solid Earth Pty Ltd
Queensland Owner of the Year
- Craig Whiteoak
- GSM Racing (Greg Mitchell)
- Solid Earth Pty Ltd
- Summit Bloodstock
Queensland Off-The-Track Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year
- Amanda Chant
- Giuditta Crisci