Button searching for first satellite stable winner

By Glenn Davis

Caloundra trainer Tom Button is hopeful new stable acquisition Monsieur Macron can give his Townsville satellite stable its first winner when the gelding heads to Mackay on Tuesday.

Monsieur Macron was formerly trained by Mick Bannon and will have his first start for Button in the Class 6 Plate over 1300 metres.

The seven-year-old registered his sixth career win in a Class 6 at Townsville in June before a last start fourth to Unbiased over 1800 metres at Mackay on July 16.

“He’s got the right form and he should be very hard to beat and hopefully he’ll be our first winner out of the Townsville stable,” Button said.

“I’ve only had him about 10 days and if he can win this, he’ll probably head north for the Cairns carnival.”

Button also expects a strong performance from the aptly-named, Lockdown Lady, in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap over 1300 metres.

Lockdown Lady has started only seven times for two minor placings including a last-start third to the Roy Chillemi-trained Boomed over 1300 metres at Townsville on June 29.

“She has to be the omen bet of the day,” Button said of Lockdown Lady, who will be ridden by Denicious Smith. 

“Her first-up run when she finished third was terrific and she’s taken a lot of improvement from the run.”

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

Button has been at Caloundra a few years but felt the time was right to open a satellite stable in Townsville to take advantage of the QTIS scheme.

Former Brisbane trainer Brad Herne, who had a long association with Eagle Farm’s Barry Baldwin, has been appointed to manage Button’s Townsville operation.

“Townsville has been running for about two months now but it’s still a work in progress,” Button said of the popular Herne. 

“It’s just about fully operational and Brad is managing about 12 horses I’ve got up here.

“Brad was working in Tamworth when he rang me out of the blue to say he was moving to Townsville and was interested in my plans to open up a Townsville stable.”