IT’S been a remarkable period for Scone trainer Brett Cavanough over the past couple of months – although he’s hoping it gets even better.
After capturing the NSW Racehorse Owners’ Country Horse of the Year, his galloper The Monstar was recently named the 2017-18 Horse of the Year for the Hunter & North West Racing Association (HNWRA) region.
The gelding enjoyed a great season, winning the Group 2 Morton Cup on the Sunshine Coast, and was placed in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (Royal Randwick) and the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes at Flemington.
“This award is a tribute to the horse’s consistency as he won the same award last year,” HNWRA secretary Bob Scherf said.
A presentation was made at Scone Race Club on Friday, with recognition also given to the region’s leading trainer (Kris Lees - 42 winners), leading jockey (Greg Ryan - 51 wins) and joint leading apprentices Louise Day and Mikayla Weir (13 wins).
Bob Poetschka was also presented with the prestigious Bede Thomas Memorial Award.
“This is awarded to the person that is considered to have rendered long and meritorious service to the NSW Racing industry,” Scherf said.
“He’s called the races for a great number of years at HNWRA clubs, especially at Tamworth and Gunnedah.”
The Monstar, which has amassed more than $750,000 in prizemoney, is now one of the top candidates for the inaugural $1.3 million The Kosciuszko.
