Averil’s big day out ends in perfect fashion

[Wandering Eyes]

by Jonny Turner

Sunday was billed as Averil’s big day out, and it proved exactly that.

Northern Southland owner Averil Fowler sponsored one of the feature events at Ascot Park in the Averil’s Big Day Out Gold Chip Final.

The event was run just two races after Fowler watched her pacer Miki Cohen win at $21 odds for trainer-driver Kirstin Green.

Both helped deliver a thrilling Sunday for Fowler and her crew of supporters who came to enjoy her big day out.

The race carrying her name came about after Fowler won a race sponsorship in a charity auction at a bowling tournament.

A week prior, Miki Cohen wasn’t slated to be starting on the same day as Fowler’s race, but a quick chat between Green and Fowler changed that.

“I went to the workouts the week before and the horse just had a quiet run, Kirstin said afterwards he was still a bit fat,” Fowler said.

“I mentioned that my race was going to be the next week, so she said she might as well chuck him in and I’m glad she did.”

Fresh up since April, with two quiet workouts to prepare, the Miki Cohen camp were hopeful rather than overly confident.

That meant Fowler told her friends who came to enjoy Averil’s Big Day Out to bet accordingly.

Thankfully though, they didn’t listen.

“I had a great crew there with me and I said to them he’s still on the way up and not to back him.”

“Luckily, they didn’t take any notice of me.”

“The horse winning was a great thrill and everyone had a great day.”

Fowler’s interest in harness racing stems from a family connection and also through her involvement in bowls.

Fowler is an outstanding bowler, having won national titles and numerous tournaments and championships in Southland.

When looking to ease back from the commitments of competing, she turned to harness racing.

Fowler had previously enjoyed the sport through her late partner, Graham Clearwater, and brother, Murray McKeown.

“We raced Nod D’or with Murray. He also had a horse called Joni James, which was named after Dad and our uncle.”

“So we followed it pretty closely, it sort of started from there.”

Fowler enjoyed success with Dallas Dale earlier this year, also raced from the Green stable with many of the same owners who are in Miki Cohen.

Fowler took a share in the latter after watching the national yearling sales.

“I saw Kirstin bidding on the horse, the sales were on TV in those days.”

“I went in another one with Kirstin this year – a trotter.”

“Brad Morris is doing a bit of work with him and all the reports are pretty good so far.”

With his fitness to keep improving, Miki Cohen looks set to deliver Fowler more thrills while her yearling progresses towards a racetrack career.

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