By Glenn Davis
Rockhampton sparring partners The Tax Accountant and Our Top Shelf are set for a likely return bout at Doomben on Saturday.
The only proviso is the weather with trainer Tom Button holding off making a firm decision whether to run The Tax Accountant in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1350m).
The Tax Accountant is also entered for the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1300m) at Rockhampton on Thursday but Button is keen to bypass it in favour of Doomben.
Button has 30 horses in work in central Queensland and has won the past three Rockhampton trainers’ premierships.
“He looks to have a mortgage on the Rocky race but we’re prepared to forgo it if the weather looks to be okay in Brisbane,” Button said.
“I’ll make up my mind late tonight or tomorrow but the owners are keen to run at Doomben.
“He deserves a crack at a Brisbane race and his owners will be there.
“He’s been dominant up here. He went well last preparation but I’ve always said he’d make a better three-year-old.”
The Tax Accountant was a $48,000 buy at the Capricorn Yearling sales and has started seven times for three wins and as many placings.
Trainer Steve Rundle has given the green light to chance his arm in Brisbane with Our Top Shelf who has won of two of his last four starts on his home track.
Rundle isn’t concerned about meeting The Tax Accountant again and believes a weight turnaround and the extra distance will be an advantage,
The Tax Accountant just edged out Our Top Shelf when the pair last met over 1200 metres at Callaghan Park in Rockhampton on September 28.
Our Top Shelf also finished third to The Tax Accountant at their previous meeting two weeks earlier.
“We rode him upside down when The Tax Accountant beat us the first time and when they met last time they broke 1 min 10 seconds and ran much faster time than the Class Six that day,” Rundle said.
“I’m confident we can turn the tables and get The Tax Accountant over 1350 metres if he starts.
“It’s his first time at Doomben and it’s a good learning curve for him.
“You’ve got to be able to take the bends at Doomben and he’s got a good turn of foot.
“I also had him in The Tax Accountant’s race at Rocky on Thursday but it was always our plan to go to Doomben.”
Image: Matt Harris
Racing Queensland webnews October 10