Nanango's Battler Returns To Home Turf

Canid, a Nanango starter on Saturday, pictured with Brooke Stower aboard at Doomben last May
(Photo: Ross Stanley)

February 14, 2019

The line-up for last year’s inaugural Battle of the Bush Final at Doomben included the Lee Park heat winner Canid … and he’s coming back on Saturday.

Canid is engaged in the Evolution Hair Studio Open Handicap (1000m) at Nanango’s Pink, Pink and more Pink race day.

The eight-year-old will be having his second run after a break of four months in what is an interesting contest, despite the non-acceptance of the clearcut topweight Tycoon Ace.

Tycoon Zip, with recent victories at Wondai and Dalby, is seeking a hat-trick.

The Written Tycoon gelding ticks several key boxes.

His record at the distance stands at 15: 5-2-4.

His career debut was over 800 metres at Nanango in August 2017 when Hannah English was the pilot.

Coincidentally, she was reunited with the bay at Doomben on January 9 for a pleasing sixth in BM 65 grade (1100m) with 60.5 kilograms.

The $51 chance was just over five lengths from the winner.

Tycoon Zip has missed a place just once in his last eight appearances.

The bagman will not risk putting up generous odds about this lodger at Shane Smith’s Toowoomba yard.

This time English partners Canid, armed with some experience with his main rival.

Although Canid’s three successes at Lee Park have been at the metric six furlongs trip, he did score three times over 1000 metres last year.

Canid, in receipt of just a half kilo from Tycoon Zip, is 6.5 points inferior in the official ratings.

The veteran is a member of the $100,000 prizemoney club and is sure to attract local support.

Glenn Richardson saddles up Canid and Stella’s Dream, the Drumbeats mare that has been off the scene since last June.

Amazingly, her dam Kosa is the great-grand-dam of Arnwood.

That colt is a son of Better Than Ready and Miss Bam, the daughter of Red Dazzler and Carry On Kosa.

Darling Downs bookmaker John Thornton bred (and races) both Stella’s Dream and Arnwood, a duo that were formerly trained by Tom Dougall.

Although Favourite Shadow stepped out just twice last year and three times in 2017, the purple and pink silks are an omen as they blend Nanango Race Club’s colour with the Moffatdale Ridge Wines’ Fashion Theme for the program.

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Other Race Day Pointers

With a capacity field of 12 to compete in the last race, the Heritage Bank BM 55 Handicap(1600m) should be a ripper.

I’m No Ruby, a regular visitor from Oakey, relishes firm going.

The bay has a 9:3-2-2 form line for Lee Park, including a distinctive 4:3-1-0 for the metric mile.

Joshua King, his pilot for Saturday, has already chalked up four wins on the Jet Spur gelding.

Given his recent results, the nine-year-old has to be taken on trust.

If the price is right, it is worth risking a dollar on the track specialist.

Luck will be important for all the contenders in the early downhill phase to the first corner.

Those who like cruising are advised that Man Overboard, Adayondek, Storm Anchor and Sail The Stars have Nanango on their charts.

Winx’s turnout in The Star Apollo Stakes at Randwick is timed for 2:50pm (Qld).

The Ken Mills Toyota Plate at Nanango is programmed for 2:55pm.

Remember: Courtesy buses run will be running to the course from Kingaroy’s Glendon Street Bus Depot (12:00 noon) and the Fitzroy Hotel at Nanango at (12:20pm). Local racing commences at 1:35pm. Platters can be ordered at the Champagne Bar. A face-painter will also be in action. As well as bookmakers, Nanango also has a TAB agency, too.

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2019 Battle Of The Bush Schedule

Racing Queensland has announced a significant prize money increase for the TAB Battle of the Bush Series which will see horses compete for Listed level stakes of $125,000 in the Final on Group 1 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara Day at Eagle Farm on June 22.

Prizemoney will be distributed as follows: First – $72,500 (plus a bonus of $30,000 if QTIS eligible); Second – $22,500; Third – $11,250; Fourth – $6250; Fifth – $3125; Sixth to Tenth – $1875 each.

Apprentices will not be able to claim in the final, and the field will be limited to 16 runners plus 6 reserves.

Qualifiers will then have the chance to compete in a thrilling finale at the home of Queensland racing on Tattersall’s Tiara Day.

Conditions for the final have also been slightly modified – with the support of the Country Racing Advisory Panel – to ensure previous champions have the opportunity to defend their title, on the condition that they meet all other eligibility criteria.

The series remains restricted to horses that have not won a metropolitan race (other than the Battle of the Bush Final) in the two years prior to the acceptance date for the final.

Float subsidies of up to $2000 are again available for the connections of finalists.

The 2019 TAB Battle of the Bush Series qualifying races are: