Quilpie, 10 hours west of Brisbane, is the stage for the next edition of qualifiers for The Battle of the Bush as the competition puzzle continues to fall into place.
This year TYCOON ZIP is back to try and get his revenge having qualified as a five-year-old for the 2019 Battle of the Bush Final after winning the Nanango qualifier.
He would go on to finish ninth in town on the day with Hanover Square taking out the feature but he is back to qualify for a second chance.
As the eldest and most campaigned from this field as a 9YO with 66 career starts (13-10-17).
Trained by Leslie Baker, the Written Tycoon x Train of Love gelding has not rung the bell as winner since July last year in Tambo.
Returning from a 19-week spell he should be freshened to turn back the clock here in this one.
Savannah McCann is booked for the ride from barrier two.
Baker also prepares stablemate EARLY PLEA who last won in September and returns to the track this start third up.
Michael Schrapel is booked to ride from barrier one in his first time onboard the Star Witness x Charge At Dawn gelding.
The hoop was confident ahead of the ride.
“Very good ride in the race and gets in great in the weights,” Schrapel said.
“Fit for the run and barrier 1 is going to give him a great advantage.
“I’ve also got a good record on the horse 1 ride for 1 win.”
MENINDEE, the gelded son of Unencumbered trained by Wayne Baker, has shown consistency this season with six wins and four placings.
He won at Cunnamulla in March before being freshened for three weeks and returning to the Roma track for two second placings.
Apprentice Amy Graham rides Menindee here and loves riding him.
“I think regardless of the ally he jumps from he’ll be hard to beat Saturday,” she said.
“He’s a good tough horse and I love riding him.”
Winning in a head bobber at Noorama last start PASS THE CARD will line up in his 30th start here. Trained by Garry Bignell out of Cunnamulla the Tickets x Dyna Diva gelding has won six times racing twice so far this season (2:1-0-0).
HEEBEE RIGHT MATE is the eight-year-old rounding out the field in the Battle of the Bush qualifier having had 12 starts this preparation for one win last month.
Paul Randall will ride the Stacey Mesken-trained runner for the second time in his career.
The field is small but will be competitive to stamp their ticket to head to Eagle Farm on Tatts Tiara day to show what the bush has to offer racing.
The Battle of the Bush qualifiers will continue on May 6 at Longreach and Gordonvale over 1100m.
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