Underground electrician aiming for Battle Of The Bush glory

By Jordan Gerrans

North West trainer Justin Bawden believes a Toowoomba start on the way to the city has perfectly readied Theresabearinthere for Saturday’s Battle Of The Bush decider.

The Mount Isa-based conditioner has made the slightly unusual decision of heading to a Benchmark 70 race at Clifford Park seven days before the $200,000 Final.

But, as the electrician by trade details, it is all part of the plan. 

Trainers such as John Manzelmann, Dale Groves and Raymond Williams are regulars in the BOTB Final field – as well as the Country Stampede and Country Cups Challenge – while Bawden will bring new blood to the contingent this year.

The 38-year-old has struck gold with Theresabearinthere, winning on four occasions from seven starts this year, including a BOTB heat at Cloncurry in late May that he won by just over a length.

The gelding has previously done his racing in South Australia, the Albury area and in North Queensland but has thrived since he landed in the North West of the Sunshine State.

“He seems to be really enjoying it at the stables in Mount Isa,” Bawden said.

“He has seemed to keep improving and I am real happy with how he is going.

“He is racing how he feels.”

The five-year-old recorded his worst result for Bawden on Saturday evening on the Darling Downs, being beaten by just over four lengths over 1000 metres.

It was just the second time the galloper has run outside of the money since he has joined the barn of Bawden.

The trainer is confident the run was better than it looks on paper and thinks it will top off Theresabearinthere nicely for his 1200 metre assignment on Tatt’s Tiara day this Saturday.

“I gave him a couple of weeks off following his win at Cloncurry and I just thought running him at Toowoomba will just harden him up for Saturday,” Bawden said.

“A 1000 metre run will harden him up for the 1200 at Eagle Farm, it will help.

“We copped some interference in the race at Toowoomba and I think he would have finished closer if not for that.

“That is not his go in his races really, he needs to be up the front.”

Stable mate Albert the Rocket also travelled from Mount Isa with Theresabearinthere as a companion.

The veteran gelding was also a starter on Saturday night at Toowoomba.

The bush trainer has made the trip early to best prepare for the BOTB decider.

Back home in the North West, Bawden works as an underground electrician at a mine as well as juggling his few gallopers in work.

“I am lucky to always have Fridays off work so I can travel my horses wherever they need to race on the Saturday with enough time,” he said.

The humble trainer referred to his emotions as a mixture of ‘nervous and excited’ ahead of having his first starter in town.

“It is all a new experience for me,” he said.

“We will see how we go, come down and have a go.”

Bawden is yet to declare a rider for Saturday’s Final and is waiting to see if regular hoop James Baker – who piloted the gelding at Toowoomba – will be able to get down to 55kgs for the event.

Theresabearinthere has drawn four on Saturday and Bawden is eager to see his galloper ridden on the speed, regardless of who is eventually booked for the race.

“He needs to be up front,” he said.

“If other horses take off in front of him and he cannot catch them, then he can take a sit behind them.

“But, he needs to be in the leading group somewhere I feel for him to run well.”

Shane Iverson’s Nick The Skip also went around on Saturday night at Toowoomba in preparation for the BOTB Final.

Charleville trainer Iverson has booked champion hoop Tim Clark for the race.

Click here for more information on the Battle Of The Bush Series.