Bush gallopers Brisbane-bound for Battle of the Bush series

Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced the new Battle of the Bush series at Thangool Races in Central Queensland on Saturday, January 27.

“The Battle of the Bush series will give country participants the chance to share in the excitement of a Group 1 race day. It will bring 16 qualifiers from eight country regions to Doomben for a rich $100,000 final on Tattersall’s Tiara Day on June 23 – the climax of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

The series will give country participants the chance to share in $260,000 in prize money across the series with 16 qualifiers worth $10,000 each scheduled across the eight Queensland country racing regions, plus the $100,000 final. The qualifiers begin at Cunnamulla on Anzac Day, April 25 and wrap up in Barcaldine on June 9.

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. To help cover the cost of travelling to Brisbane for the final, Racing Queensland will offer qualifiers float subsidies of up to $2000. 

“This big purse is sure to get hearts racing in country Queensland, while showcasing the talent of our bush gallopers. Battle of the Bush will also give country trainers a chance to shine on the national stage at a time when all racing eyes will be on Brisbane,” Mr Hinchliffe  said.

Encouraging owners and trainers throughout country Queensland to get involved in the  Battle of the Bush, the Minister said the series was yet another fantastic way the Palaszczuk Government was supporting country racing in Queensland.

“We’re investing $70 million over four years through a Country Racing Package, which will secure the future of the sport at its grassroots. This is in addition to our $6 million country and regional capital works program, which is benefiting race clubs throughout Queensland.

“We’ll continue to support country racing because we recognise the tremendous benefits it generates in this State. Racing contributes more than $1.2 billion to the Queensland economy, with more than 47 percent of that value realised in regional parts of the state. It’s also crucial for jobs, with 42,000 Queenslanders employed or engaged in the industry,” he said. 

Queensland Hall of Fame trainer Peter Moody has also thrown his support behind the Battle of the Bush series. Moody began his training career in Western Queensland before going on to conquer the racing world in Australia and abroad with horses such as Black Caviar, Typhoon Tracy and Dissident. 

“Racing is a way of life for people living in country and regional Queensland, and I welcome any new idea which aims to shine the spotlight on the hard-working participants that exist within these regions,” Mr Moody said.

Series venues are:

THE catalogue for the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale is now online at www.magicmillions.com.au.

The sale source of star sprinters Buffering, Spirit of Boom and Winning Rupert and recent $1 million Magic Millions QTIS winner I’m a Rippa, this year will see 389 select lots offered over two days, March 19 and 20.

Buyers at the 2018 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale will have the added incentive of a 33 percent discount on the Magic Millions Race Series nomination fee to make their purchase eligible for the $11 million plus suite of graduate races held over six states of Australia. All lots offered have been subject to the first payment for QTIS and buyers will have the opportunity to scoop $64,700 (colts and geldings) and $76,950 (fillies) every Saturday for a metropolitan two and three-year-old win for fully paid QTIS youngsters.

Some 76 lots are BOBS eligible in a further boost for buyers. A total of 70 sires are represented in the catalogue headlined by former sale graduate and Australia's first season sire sensation Spirit of Boom with 44 lots. Others well represented include Better Than Ready (39 lots), Love Conquers All (30), Rothesay (27), Real Saga (23) and Bel Esprit (19).

RAHEEN Stud's deceased Group 1 Epsom Handicap winning stallion Captain Sonador (Shamardal/Pushing Daisies) celebrated an elite race success at  Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong on Sunday, January 28, when 5YO Australian-bred gelding Seasons Bloom broke  through for his first win at the highest level with a strong performance in the Group1 Stewards' Cup (1600m).

Aushorse web news reports the Stewards’ Cup has been won previously by Australian horses such as Able Friend (2015) and Fairy King Prawn (2001) – both of whom went on to capture Horse of the Year honours – while Australian-breds have won 23 of 46 Stewards’ Cup renewals.

Bred by the Nolan family at Raheen Stud, Gladfield, Seasons Bloom is the first Group 1 winner for his ill-fated sire Captain Sonador. A Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, Captain Sonador won an Epsom Handicap at Randwick before retiring to Raheen Stud where he produced three crops – Seasons Bloom a member of his first.

The Group 1 win wasn’t the only milestone achieved by Seasons Bloom who is from the unraced Not a Single Doubt mare Pyramisa’s Lass – a half-sister to South African Group 2 winner, Sharks Bay and from a sister to Group 2 QTC Cup winner, Pembleton. He was also the first son or daughter of Captain Sonador ever sold at auction when offered by Raheen at the 2013 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

Bought for $26,000 by Ampulla Lodge, Seasons Bloom began his racing career in Victoria where he raced twice under the name Le Capitaine for a fifth at Caulfield with Peter Moody and a win at Pakenham when trained by Brendan McCarthy. On-sold to Hong Kong, Seasons Bloom advanced his record to seven wins (including the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile) and three placings (including the Group 3 HKJC Celebration Cup, Listed Hong Kong Classic Cup and Listed Hong Kong Classic Mile) from 16 starts for $3,139,259 in earnings.