Significant increase for 2019 Battle of the Bush

Racing Queensland has announced a significant prize money increase for the TAB Battle of the Bush Series which will see horses vie for Listed level stakes of $125,000 in the final on Group 1 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara Day at Eagle farm on 22 June 2019.

In another exciting addition, should a QTIS-registered horse win this race, a QTIS bonus of $30,000 will be paid to the winning connections in addition to the standard winners’ prize money. This will see QTIS-eligible horse receive the chance to take home $102,500.

The 2019 TAB Battle of the Bush series begins at the Gladstone Turf Club on April 20 and will again feature 16 qualifiers (two per country region), across the state, over two months.

Qualifiers will then have the chance to compete in a thrilling finale at the home of Queensland racing on Group 1 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara Day, rubbing shoulders with some of Australian racing’s biggest names during the TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said Racing Queensland was committed to providing more opportunities for country racing participants to experience the thrill of racing for high stakes alongside some of Australian racing’s biggest names.

“The inaugural TAB Battle of the Bush Series was a game changer, not just for participants and owners, but for racing fans across Queensland who followed their favourite country trainer or horse throughout the series to the final,” Mr Parnell said.

Conditions for the final have been slightly modified – with the support of the Country Racing Advisory Panel – to ensure previous champions have the opportunity to defend their title, on the condition that they meet all other eligibility criteria. 

The series will, however, remain restricted to horses that have not won a metropolitan race (as per Racing Queensland's metropolitan win policy), other than the Battle of the Bush Final, in the two years prior to the acceptance date for the 2019 Final (13/6/2017 to 12/6/2019).

Float subsidies of up to $2000 will again be offered by Racing Queensland for connections that accept to participate in the final.

A full copy of the series conditions can be found in the RACE Magazine and by clicking here. The series conditions will be updated for the MARCH EDITION of RACE MAGAZINE to reflect the $30,000 QTIS bonus. 

The 2019 TAB Battle of the Bush Series qualifiers are listed below.

 2019 TAB Battle of the Bush Series

Refer to the RACE Magazine and RQ website for individual prizemoney for the qualifiers listed above.

Final – Race Detail

22 June 2019 – Tattersall’s Tiara Raceday at Eagle Farm

TAB Battle of the Bush Final – Rest 0MWL2Y Quality Handicap – 1200m

Of $125,000 – 1^st $72,500, 2^nd $22,500, 3^rd $11,250, 4^th $6,250, 5^th $3,125, 6^th to 10^th $1,875

Should a QTIS registered horse win this race, a QTIS bonus of $30,000 will be paid to the winning connections in addition to the standard winners’ prize money.

Apprentices Cannot Claim

Starting limit of 16 horses plus 6 emergencies