{"id":200457,"date":"2018-02-02T15:13:48","date_gmt":"2018-02-02T05:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=200457"},"modified":"2020-08-08T13:19:07","modified_gmt":"2020-08-08T03:19:07","slug":"bush-battle-helps-country-racing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/02\/02\/bush-battle-helps-country-racing\/","title":{"rendered":"Bush Battle Helps Country Racing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tycoon Tara (K.McEvoy) takes out a thrilling 2017 Tatt’s Tiara; this year the occasion will be supplemented by the excitement of the $100,000 Battle of the Bush finale (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>February 2, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

A novel “Battle Of The Bush” Queensland racing initiative later this year is a remarkable boost for the non-TAB fraternity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Racing Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe announced the new Battle of the Bush series at last Saturday\u2019s Thangool races.<\/p>\n

In short, sixteen $10,000 Open class races will be staged across the eight regions in May and June.<\/p>\n

These heats will produce qualifiers for an unprecedented $100,000 Restricted OMW 2LY (1200m) final at Doomben on Tattersall\u2019s Tiara Day, 23 June.<\/p>\n

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.”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The cost of travelling to Brisbane for the final will be supported by Racing Queensland via float subsidies of up to $2000.<\/p>\n

The Battle Of The Bush schedule is as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
    \n
  • Cunnamulla:<\/b> Anzac Day Open Plate 1200m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Emerald:<\/b> April 28 Open Plate 1100m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Bundaberg:<\/b> May 5 Open Handicap 1212m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • Gordonvale:<\/b> May 12 Open Plate 1100m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • Longreach:<\/b> May 12 Open Plate 1100m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              \n
            • Mount Isa:<\/b> May 12 Open Handicap 1100m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                \n
              • Warwick:<\/b> May 12 Open Handicap 1100m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n
                • Home Hill:<\/b> May 19 Open Handicap 1180m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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