A novel “Battle Of The Bush” Queensland racing initiative later this year is a remarkable boost for the non-TAB fraternity.
Racing Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe announced the new Battle of the Bush series at last Saturday’s Thangool races.
In short, sixteen $10,000 Open class races will be staged across the eight regions in May and June.
These heats will produce qualifiers for an unprecedented $100,000 Restricted OMW 2LY (1200m) final at Doomben on Tattersall’s Tiara Day, 23 June.
Racing Queensland has indicated that “to be eligible to compete in a qualifier, a horse must have started in a minimum of five non-TAB races in Queensland in the 12 months immediately preceding the acceptance date for that qualifier specifically.”
That stipulation will protect genuine country connections being outmuscled by, say, metropolitan or provincial stables that may employ hit and run tactics without any previous rural participation.
The requirement may also generate more runners at country venues from February through to April as trainers look at ticking off the five-start box.
Hopefully, some of the owners and trainers looking to have a crack at the concept will head to Nanango on February 24, where the program includes a $7000 Open Handicap.
Although the first legs of the competition will be two months away, a run at Lee Park may help chalk up the vital five non-TAB outings.
The cost of travelling to Brisbane for the final will be supported by Racing Queensland via float subsidies of up to $2000.
The Battle Of The Bush schedule is as follows:
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The $100,000 Doomben final will be held on June 23.
There will no doubt be some more specific conditions advertised soon.
For example, if the approach is that the climax is a heat winner’s only affair, there needs to be a statement about the handling of dead-heats.
Further, if all 16 are fit and well, what happens if the Doomben rail placement on the day demands a smaller field?
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Downs Trainer Outed
Darling Downs trainer Gilbert Baker has been disqualified for a year on a cobalt charge.
A pre-race urine sample taken from his stable member Beautiful Love at Nanango on September 16 last year showed the presence of cobalt in excess of the allowable threshold.
A further test on the reserve portion of the sample confirmed the finding.
Baker pleaded guilty to a charge of bringing a horse to race with a prohibited substance, and third placed Beautiful Love was disqualified.
Racing Queensland has been testing for cobalt since October 2013.
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Slightly Flat Champagne In The USA
Several zeroes have to be added to the purse for the Battle of the Bush before it approaches the treasure chest available through The Pegasus.
This is the Florida event that helped fashion Sydney’s much vaunted signature contest The Everest.
However, things were far from perfect for the second running of the American innovation.
The Stronach Group had to buy and on-sell three of its $US16 million World Cup slots when only nine of the $1 million berths had been purchased by the December 15 closing date.
The promoters added extra cash to maintain the advertised kitty that is more of a mountain lion in stature.
The company then had to work deals to complete the line up.
Mind you, Australia cannot crow about the success of the local venture.
The Australian Turf Club ended up wearing two hats: it was a buyer and is also a major partner in the project.
But New South Wales did at least have the foresight to cuddle the infant and get enlistments for the first three years.
It will be fascinating to follow the path the leads to the fourth renewal.
Wonder if the song list at Randwick in 2020 will include The Gambler by Kenny Rogers?
The lyrics below could actually be a good basis for a punter’s new year resolution:
“You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done…”