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Heffernan Wins Troy Dunn Invitational

TOWNSVILLE, Australia. – Singleton, Australia, cowboy Cody Heffernan took home the victory at the PBR Troy Dunn Invitational in front of a sellout crowd in tropical North Queensland on Saturday.

Heffernan was the only rider in the 22-man field to finish 3-for-3 and pushed himself into the No. 1 ranking in the PBR Australia standings.

He began the weekend with an 86.75-point ride on Rebal Yell to win Round 1 before riding LA Ink for 84.25 points in Round 2.

Heffernan capped his perfect night with an event-best 88 points on Brandenburg’s Blossom. Although it was a close call as Heffernan had to hit the challenge button after the judges’ first decided he didn’t make the 8-second mark.

The ride was extremely important for Heffernan as 2015 PBR Rookie of the Year Kaique Pacheco had tied Heffernan for the event lead with an 86.75-point ride on Jackie Howe earlier during the championship round.

Pacheco finished second overall by going 2-for-3 (171 points).

Rounding out the Top 5 in the event was reigning PBR Australia Champion Fraser Babbington (167.25 points), Roy Dunn (85.75 points) and Chris Lowe (84.75 points).

The second stop on the PBR Australia’s November Cup Series started with a bang with 10 scores posted in the first round.

Dunn’s ride placed him second in Round 1 behind Heffernan, while Justin Robards (84.5 points) Pacheco (84.25) and Rubens Barbosa (83.5 points) placed in the Top 5.

Round 2 featured less fireworks than Round 1 with only five qualified rides.

Babbington and Lowe tied for the round victory with 84.75 points.

Kurt Shephard fell victim to 2015 PBR Australia Bull of the Year Gotcha Rockin in 3.16 seconds. The bull has yet to be ridden in his career.

PBR Australia General Manager Glen Young said Townsville has again lived up to its reputation as one of the sporting capitals of Queensland with another sensational sell out event.

“I have been doing this event for over 16 years now and each and every year I go away saying this year’s event is going to be hard to top. However, the team goes to extreme lengths to ensure we do,” he said.

Established in 1999, The Troy Dunn Invitational attracts bull riding fans not only from around Australia, but international visitors as well.

“This is a much desired win for bull riders around the globe,” Young added. “Troy Dunn is unquestionably one of Australia’s greatest bull riders and his list of accomplishments in his career is respected worldwide and the main reason why riders are eager to add his event award buckle to their collection.”

Young says there are plans to expand the Troy Dunn Invitational to two days in 2016.

“This year the event sold out well in advance which has given us the confidence to expand it back into a two-day competition next year,” said Young.

The 2015 Troy Dunn Invitational was especially special to four-time Australia Champion David Kennedy, who nodded his head for the last time in his career in front of a vocal Townsville crowd.

© 2015 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.

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