Battle of the Bush field nears completion

The final field for the $100,000 Battle of the Bush is nearly complete with the final heat to be run at Cairns.

Monday’s heat was to be held at Mareeba last week but the meeting was called off because of heavy rain and the race moved to the Cairns meeting.

The Battle of The Bush final over 1200m is at Eagle Farm on Tatts Tiara day, June 23, and indications are there will be a large crowd with connections coming from all over Queensland.

The inaugural race for country-trained horses was won last year by Mackay sprinter Mason’s Chance.

Country champions Fab’s Cowboy and Macchu Pichu have each won two heats with the runners-up from their second wins qualifying.

Racing Queensland chief executive Brendan Parnell said the concept had proved a great success and added interest to the Tatts Tiara meeting.

“It has been a great effort by RQ staff to organise such a complex event,” he said.

Battle of the Bush qualifiers:

Gladstone – Fab’s Cowboy

Cunnamulla -Fab’s Cowboy – 2nd Bush Caviar (Qual)

Bundaberg – Marksfield

Gordonvale – Bold Avenue

Longreach – Kakakenny

Mount Isa – Split The Atom

Warwick – Macchu Pichu

Burdekin – Stellar Knight

Charleville – Malibu Affair

Thangool – Mia Host

Nanango – Macchu Pichu – 2nd Tycoon Zip (Qual)

Cloncurry – Deadly Choices

Bowen – Stellar Knight 2nd Sweet Surprise

Goondiwindi – Music Scene

Barcaldine – Hanover Square

Cairns (Mareeba) – to be decided Monday