Ex-Rockhampton trainer chases city success

Premier Rockhampton trainer Tom Button gets the chance to celebrate his move to Caloundra with The Silver Lady at Doomben.

The Silver Lady was a strong winner in a Sunshine Coast two-year-old race a fortnight ago after having no luck at her first start when unplaced at Eagle Farm.

The filly will contest Two-Year-Old Handicap (1050m).

Button has been a regular visitor to Brisbane in recent years but a win on Saturday would be his first metropolitan victory since making the move south.

He has high hopes The Silver Lady’s race experience will be a benefit against a field which includes seven first starters.

“After her first run we put blinkers on her and she improved out of sight,” Button said.

“It is a step up in class but she has barrier two which is a big help from the Doomben 1050 metres.”

Button picked up The Silver Lady, who is the latest smart horse by Siderius, at the Capricornia Sales and she will eventually be aimed at that sales-related Classic next year.

Button was a former leading apprentice in Brisbane before increasing weight forced him out of the saddle.

After a stint working in mines, Button returned to racing as a trainer at Rockhampton and was central Queensland’s leading trainer for the past two years.

“I have decided to give it a go in the south and the Sunshine Coast is an ideal place to train,” he said.

“I have 20 horses in work but hope to build on that number soon.”