Pat Webster with three-pronged Stampede approach

By Jordan Gerrans

The St George-based stable of Pat Webster has a simple approach to the 2021 edition of the Country Stampede – the more runners engaged enhances the team’s chances of landing in the Final.

Webster has three from his yard nominated in Saturday’s qualifier at Tara and will also have one in the Country Cups Challenge qualifier at the same track for good measure.

“We just thought the more chances you have got in the qualifiers, there is more chances to get into the Final,” Webster, who has 12 horses in work, said.

Over 20 heats will take place across regional Queensland with the best horses in country racing chasing a berth to battle it out in a Metropolitan Final held at Doomben during the TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival. 

The Tara qualifier, to be run over 1000 metres for $12,000, has attracted a strong field for Saturday, with 17 gallopers nominated, with the field limit set for 10.

The Webster yard have V J Day, All Eez and Patented in for the Tara qualifier with the builder by trade hopeful one of his runners can book their spot in the Final.

Webster described Tara’s dirt racing surface as a tricky track, suggesting new stable acquisition All Eez may not handle it after recently departing Will Loudon’s stable.

“I have only had All Eez for one run and he has showed good improvement since he has been here,” Webster said.

“They put All Eez up for sale and we grabbed him, we thought he might be some kind of chance to run a race in the Stampede series.

“I think of the three, Patened is probably the up-and-coming horse coming through, he is having his first go at an Open Handicap this week - a bit of a step up for him. He is quite promising.

“V J Day is a really nice horse but weight could play a part with him, he will need to carry a fair bit. He will still race well.”

The American-bred V J Day has enjoyed a unique racing life so far, starting his career off in Europe, before going through the hands of a number of Australia trainers, then landing in St George in the Downs racing district of the Sunshine State.

The Country Cups Challenge and Country Stampede have returned bigger and better in 2021, with the first qualifiers run last week, beginning on Friday afternoon at Ewan before a handful of other qualifiers were held for both series.

“The series’ are great,” Webster said.

“The concept is brilliant.

“I would like to see a few more set weight races in the series, which would give the best horses – the higher rated horses – the best chance to get in the final and showcase what we have got in the bush.”

After a busy opening weekend of CCC and CS qualifiers, just Tara hosts qualifying races this weekend.

In the 1400-metre Tara Cup, Webster starts Harbour Trick, who did not beat a runner home in the Dalby Cup earlier this month.

Webster is completely dismissing that run, thinking the seven-year-old gelding can return to the form that saw him win four in a row last preparation.

“I was really happy with Harbour Trick until his last run at Dalby, where he failed to run on and seemed to not handle the track there,” Webster said.

“He pulled up really good. He is a horse that can run a race, he likes the 1600 metres more than the 1400 metres.

“He is gradually getting to that distance again after a bit of a lay-off.

“He really hit some form at the end of last preparation, he would have run through a brick wall for you, he was really on song, but has had a few issues since.”