QTIS scheme prompts Button to consider Mackay satellite stable

By Glenn Davis

Caloundra trainer Tom Button wants to take advantage of the lucrative QTIS scheme and is considering opening a satellite stable in Mackay.

Button, 41, has a team of 20 horses in work at the Sunshine Coast after moving from Rockhampton a year ago.

“The move has been good and I’ve had a good run in the last month or so,” Button said.

“I don’t have a stable in Rocky anymore but I’m thinking about opening a stable in Mackay.

“A stable in Mackay would allow me to take advantage of the QTIS prizemoney right up the coast of Queensland from the Gold Coast to Cairns.”

Button was a former leading rider in Rockhampton before turning to training 10 years ago, winning the Rockhampton trainers’ premiership five times before moving south.

“I just felt the time was right for a new challenge and decided to move to Caloundra last year,” Button said.

“I had accomplished as much as I could in Rocky after winning five trainers’ premierships.

“It’s been a bit harder to win races here but I’m happy the way things are going."

Button has accepted with two runners at Ipswich on Wednesday but is undecided if his best chance, The Silver Lady, will run in the 1350-metre QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.

His other acceptor is Hector The Hero in the Maiden Handicap (1666m).

The Silver Lady won against her own age over 1350 metres at Mackay two starts back before a fast-finishing second to stablemate Miss Lot Won over 1200 metres at Rockhampton on October 17.

“I’ve accepted with The Silver Lady at Ipswich but I’m not sure whether she’ll run or I’ll wait and send her to Rockhampton for the Breeders’ Cup day meeting on Thursday week,” Button said.

“She won easy at Mackay but was back in distance when she ran a good race to finish second to Miss Lot Won last start.

“She’s probably better suited and looking for this trip but I won’t decide about starting until as late as possible."

Ipswich was rated a soft 6 at acceptance time but Button isn’t overly worried.

“She’s a grey and the old saying is most greys handle the wet,” Button said.

“She’s had two goes on slow tracks so far and she placed both times.”

Button has trained nine winners state-wide since the start of September including metropolitan winners The Tax Accountant and Rollinwiththeflow.