Gold tinge to state’s top awards

THE Gold Coast has a strong hand in the 2018 Queensland Thoroughbred Awards with contenders in five of the six major categories.

Jeff Lloyd and Robbie Fradd, who live on the Gold Coast but ride mainly at metropolitan meetings, are nominated for the jockey of the year award.

Lloyd won his third successive metropolitan premiership in the 2017-18 season while Fradd finished third despite missing the last three months after taking up an offer to ride in Mauritius.

Toby Edmonds, who prepared 107 winners across eastern Australia last season, is among entries for trainer of the year.

The Edmonds-trained trio Houtzen and Whypeeo (threeyear-olds) and Granny Red Shoes (two-year-olds) are nominated for their respective horse of the year categories.

Gold Coast apprentice Jag Guthmann-Chester, who won the metropolitan premiership last season, is nominated for the junior rider award.

The presentation ceremony is at the Sofitel Brisbane Central on September 16. In total, 28 trophies will be awarded.

The nominees for the major categories of the Queensland Thoroughbred Awards are:

Jockey of the Year

Jim Byrne Robbie Fradd Jeff Lloyd Matthew McGillivray

Trainer of the Year

Ben Currie Toby Edmonds Tony Gollan Robert Heathcote

Apprentice of the Year

Jag Guthmann-Chester Taylor Marshall Michael Murphy Boris Thornton

4YO-plus Horse of the Year

Crack Me Up Hopfgarten I’m A Rippa Most Important Savanna Amour

3YO Horse of the Year

Another Dollar Houtzen Sniztkraft Whypeeo

2YO Horse of the Year

Boomsara

Ef Troop Granny Red Shoes Outback Barbie Sesar