Small FNQ stable dreams of TAB Battle of the Bush final spot

Photo credit: Mike Mills

By Jordan Gerrans

With just three horses in work, Innisfail trainer Krystin Allender says she would be “over the moon” to qualify one of her gallopers for the 2021 TAB Battle of the Bush Final.

As the exciting series edges closer to the Final on Tattersall’s Tiara Raceday at Eagle Farm on Saturday, June 20, three heats will be contested this weekend at Mareeba, Cloncurry and Goondiwindi.

Allender has been training in FNQ since 2019, moving north from Victoria with an aim of establishing herself in the training ranks after years as a track work rider and strapper in Melbourne.

The Battle of the Bush concept is a perfect opportunity for a trainer like Allender, working to build up her small stable with a chance to have a metropolitan starter at the end of the series. 

The mother of one gets consistent results with her small team of horses, buying tried gallopers on a budget and getting the best out of them.

She thinks The Groom (pictured), previously trained on the Atherton Tablelands by leading local Sharlee D'Avila, is a chance to sneak his way into the Final from the small field that will contest the Mareeba heat this Saturday.

“I think it’s a great concept, to be able to have the opportunity to potentially race a horse at Doomben against other country gallopers for great prize money is amazing,” Allender said of the BOTB.

“For Racing Queensland to fund the travel expenses is even better, it gives small trainers with talented horses the chance to go without having to find the funds to travel, as it can be costly.

“I would be over the moon if The Groom won the qualifier, it would definitely be a shock to be able to go to Doomben.”

Only a tiny field of five will assemble for the Mareeba heat, to be run over 1210 metres as an Open Handicap.

The Love Conquers All gelding has not won since August of last year but in his three efforts for the Allender team, he hasn’t run worse than fourth in three starts.

“I brought the horse off Sharlee and he was very consistent for her and in the three runs I’ve had him, he has not been beaten beaten far,” Allender said.

“He’s had a bit of a freshen up and has been working very well, with a small field it’s really anyone’s race but I know he will go out there and give it all he has.

“I don’t think you’ll ever improve a horse from Sharlee’s stable, she’s a great trainer it’s just a matter of keeping the horse happy and healthy.”

Cairns-based apprentice Krysten Swaffer was set to take the ride on The Groom this Saturday but following a fall on Thursday at Townsville's Cluden Park, she is unlikely to be fit and ready. 

Fellow FNQ apprentice Rachel Shred is now expected to pick up the ride. 

Shred has been the pilot in each of the chestnut gelding's last three starts and regains the ride now. 

The Groom’s stable-mate, She Beats The Best, is likely to have her last ever career start on Saturday at Mareeba.

Around the state, Tanya Parry has two gallopers from her stable nominated for this Saturday’s Cloncurry BOTB heat, to be run over 1200 metres as an Open Handicap.

At Goondiwindi, Dalby trainer David Reynolds has a team of three set for their BOTB heat, while trainers Pat Webster and Wayne Baker have two each in.

Following Saturday’s three qualifiers, there is only three more slots left for the 2021 BOTB final.

Click here to read more on the Battle of the Bush series.