The highly anticipated Racing Queensland’s country racing initiative, the 2018 Battle of the Bush Series, is now underway with the first of the 16 qualifying races held at the Cunnamulla Diggers Races on Anzac Day.
The race was won by Fab’s Cowboy, trained by reigning Queensland Country Horse Trainer of the Year, Bevan Johnson, of Miles.
Fab’s Cowboy arrived at the Cunnamulla track having won four of his past five starts.
With a top weight of 61.5kg, and apprentice jockey Adin Thompson in the saddle who was able to claim a 3.5 kg allowance, Fab’s Cowboy held off Classic Wind trained by Beau Green, Charleville, and Louppy Bend, trained by Royce Connolly, also of Charleville.
Making the trip from Victoria was former Wyandra horseman and Ambassador for Racing Queensland’s Battle of the Bush series, Peter Moody.
Mr 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.
“I look forward to watching how the first series unfolds and how it continues to develop in the years to come.”
Fab’s Cowboy will now start in the $100,00,000 final on Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara Day, during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, at Doomben Racecourse, on June 23.
The 15 remaining Battle of the Bush qualifying races will be be held at the following race meetings:
- Emerald: Open Plate (SW) 1100m, April 28
- Bundaberg: Open Hcp 1212m, May 5
- *Gordonvale: Open Plate (SW) 1100m, May 12
- Longreach: Open Plate (SW) 1100m, May 12
- *Mount Isa: Open Hcp 1100m, May 12
- Warwick: Open Hcp 1100m, May12
- Home Hill: Open Hcp 1180m, May 19
- Charleville: Newmarket Open Hcp 1200m, May 19
- Thangool: Open Hcp 1200m, May 26
- Nanango: Open Plate (SW) 1200m, May 26
- Atherton: Open Hcp 1200m, June 2
- Bowen: Open Plate (SW) 1100m, June 2
- Cloncurry: Open Plate (SW) 1000m, June 2
- Goondiwindi: Open Plate (SW) 1200m, June 2
- Barcaldine: Open Hcp 1200m, June 9
- Doomben (Final): Rest 0MWL2Y Quality Hcp 1200m, June 23