Mori’s Press begins bid for Battle of the Bush Final

By Jordan Gerrans

Shane Iverson believes prolific mare Mori’s Press was unlucky to not lift the Country Stampede title last year and the team begin their path to the Battle of the Bush decider this Saturday at Longreach.

The five-year-old mare has developed an outstanding record for the Charleville trainer, winning eight of her 15 starts for him, as well as five other minor placings.

The daughter of Press Statement was beaten by less than a length in last year's Country Stampede Final before fronting up for a city Saturday race a fortnight later where she was desperately unlucky again.

Iverson thinks Mori’s Press is capable of winning a metropolitan race on a Saturday but will again target the rich country show-piece series’ throughout 2023 following discussions with owner Basil Nolan.

Mori’s Press heads to an Open Plate at Longreach on Saturday over 1100 metres aiming to book an early slot in the BOTB Final.

Mori’s Press will tackle the race second-up after a dominant fresh display at Barcaldine last month.

According to Iverson, the mare has come back a different galloper in 2023 following a much-needed spell.

Mori’s Press had 14 runs between November of 2021 and December of last year, with Iverson noting she barely spent any time out of the stable in that period.

“After she run the second in Brisbane, we sent her to Basil’s for six weeks and she did so well,” Iverson said.

“She is a different horse this time in, she is just stronger and happier.

“She is doing so well. I cannot fault her this time in with just how strong she is.”

Mori’s Press progressed to the Country Stampede Final through a Blackall qualifier last year.

The veteran trainer prepared Mori’s Press’ mother - Suemori – who won two races from 13 efforts before retiring in late 2014.

Iverson and Nolan are aiming for the Battle of the Bush Final at Eagle Farm, with the $200,000 decider run as a part of the Queensland Racing Carnival, after they went so close in the city late last year.

After the Country Stampede Final, Mori’s Press led for much of the trip in a Benchmark 78 Handicap for fillies and mares on a Saturday in town before she was overrun in the final stages.

“With a touch of luck she most probably could have won the Stampede and then she led right to the death but she got run down right at the end,” Iverson said.

“If there would have been another race for her around that time then we would have had another crack but there was nothing in the calendar for some time so we decided to spell her.

“I think she is a Saturday level horse – I think she is anyway – but I cannot keep running her down there.

“I often say to Basil that I would like to run her on a Saturday but he is keen to win a Battle of the Bush or a Stampede with her.

“She has been a really good horse to us.”

Iverson claimed the feature Roma Cup last year with Nick The Skip.

The conditioner will present a new horse from his stable at Longreach on Saturday with Bionic having his first start in Queensland.

The former Sydney-trained galloper won a Hawkesbury maiden late last year and Iverson has high hopes for the gelding. 

Iverson will start three from his barn at Longreach on Saturday with one stable mate heading to Morven for their non-TAB races, as well.

Gordonvale will also host a BOTB heat this Saturday afternoon.

The Battle of the Bush will feature 16 qualifiers (two per country region) across the state, with the final heats to be staged at Barcaldine on June 10.

Click here for more information on the Battle of the Bush Series.