Battle of the Bush heats up with Gympie, Goondiwindi qualifiers
The Battle of the Bush sees 16 qualifiers across Queensland starting this weekend and running through to the final on June 24 on Tattersall’s Tiara Raceday at Eagle Farm.
To qualify horses must have not recorded a metro win last year making it a true battle of the bush.
Over 1200m and with a prize pool of $200,000 the first qualifiers are this weekend held at Goondiwindi and Gympie.
GOONDIWINDI PICNIC CUP BATTLE OF THE BUSH QUALIFIER OPEN Plate (1200m)
DALTORO (5) – has been four months since a win for this Matt Kropp-trained runner with a third and fifth placing from two starts this preparation. Scott Sweedman gets the ride.
KAPPY CINO (7) – the oldest runner here at 9YO he last won in September this year at Taroom. Close to clocking 100 starts this Jackie Crompton runner has amassed over $220k in his career. Jodi Worley on board here.
MOSCINI (4) – seen winning by 3L at Flinton this Dale Groves-trained gelding has won his past three with decent performances. Nathan Fazackerley retains the ride after piloting him home in his last start victory.
OAKFIELD TARGET (2) – trained by Pat Webster this Dundeel gelding has eight wins and ten placings from 50 starts. Emily Lang is booked for the ride making it her third start on the seven-year-old.
ROLLINWITHTHEFLOW (1) – trained by the Ryan Tyrell & Tom Button partnership this gelding was last seen winning at Monto last month by 1.5L. Apprentice Gabrielle Semmens to ride.
VOULAIT (3) – from the Michael Hemmings stable last seen winning last October in Tara. Riding tactics changed with apprentice Landan Sykes onboard for the first time.
FITZROY BOY (6) – third up this prep and coming off a win last start at Flinton this Barry Sheppard gelding beat home competitor Voulait, who he faces here again, by 2.5L. Lilli Barr returns to the saddle having ridden him to the winner’s circle in February at this track.
Barr had big wraps for the horse.
“He’s one of my favourite horses and he’s an on speed type of horse who always tries his hardest.
“He’s up in grade with an average barrier where it seems like there’s going to be a lot of pressure on.
“If we can get across and get an economical run I’m sure he’ll be in the finish.
“He’s got the home track advantage as well as running over 1200m which suits him well.”
Tips: Fitzroy Boy, Moscini, Kappy Cino
BATTLE OF THE BUSH GYMPIE QUALIFIER OPEN Plate (1170m)
BRYNEICH (7) – Trevor Thomas trained gelded son of Lonhro lines up here having not been seen winning since May last year. Having moved from the Kropp stable last July it is now Kelly Gates with the task to ride him back into the money.
COAT OF ARMS (8) – seen winning well last Saturday at Roma by 1.2L he loves that track having won his past three starts. Trained by Pat Webster the I Am Invincible bloodline is strong in him and is a consistent money-getter (28: 8-9-3). Paul Hamblin to ride.
HARD STRIDE (1) – based out of Toowoomba for Jason Judge he is a veteran campaigner at 12 years old and having 121 starts under his belt. Last seen winning at Wondai last April in a close finish it is now up to Minonette Kennedy to show what the old boy still has to offer.
“He has a good record on the track carrying more weight then he will have Saturday so that’s a plus and a good gate also helps,” Kennedy said.
NOT LIABLE (4) – trained by Leonard Mawn out of Chinchilla he won five times last year and likes conditions good with 53 of his starts as such (62: 10-8-7). Morgan Butler commented on his thoughts on his mount.
“His run was good first up.
“He is a good sand horse and should run well.
“The race is probably a little short for him as he seems to be better over 1400 but he is 2nd up and should be hard to beat.
“Obviously Coat of Arms is the form horse and the one to beat but I think my bloke can give him a crack.”
STORMTROOPER (3) – having won at Toowoomba last start he comes into this having also won at the Gympie track last month over the further 1470m. Shania Willis rides as she did in that Gympie win adding that benefit of track riding and winning.
TA CHANSON (9) – this 7YO gelding has seen some of our great state with five trainer changes throughout his career. Now with Mark Ferguson since November 2021 he has saluted once from ten starts in that time. Gregory Hayes has the ride and will be riding him from the carpark off the back of a deep draw.
THE CARPENTER (6) – he passes the century with his 51st start and trained by Terry Hall booked to ride is Chris Meehan. Has won twice at the Gympie track in the past six months over similar distances that he faces here (1170m/1600m) with those wins on differing conditions of Good 4 and Wet fast.
WANDER (5) – another gelded son of Lonhro lines up here trained by Kym Afford in his 60th start. Having been with Afford since June 2022 he has raced four times for a second placing being the best performance from those. Matthew Powell gets the ride from the middle gate.
RAMTASTIC (2) – the husband-and-wife duo of Glenn and Hannah Richardson partner in this one as trainer and jockey. With the gelding joining the stable in January 2022 he has been consistent having placed five from nine starts but not having won since October 2020 for the Schweida stable.
Tips: Coat of Arms, Stormtrooper, Not Liable