Headline races are just that … they grab most of the attention … but for the majority of people who don’t get to race in the elite Group 1 company, where it is all glitter and glory, the headline act is a title that can be redefined to fit a purpose and for all of the Battle Of The Bush Final contenders at Eagle Farm on Saturday, this was their headline race.
Sixteen qualifiers made it through to the 2022 Battle Of The Bush Grand Finale with the trainers arriving at Eagle Farm coming from the length and breadth of the state.
Trainers travelled to Eagle Farm from Mackay, St George, Barcaldine Ilfracombe, Toowoomba, Cunnamulla, Nome, Emerald, Roma, Gympie and Taroom … underlining the rich range of representation that the race concept offered to the country racing scene during all of the outlying qualifying races and, of course, when it basked in the beautiful winter sunshine that the weather turned on at Eagle Farm for Grand Final day.
For trainer Olivia Cairns and jockey Justin Stanley, it was to prove a triumphant day as they combined their respective expertise to help bring Ammoudi Bay home by a one length margin from the Pat Webster trained V J Day.
Stanley prefers to concentrate his efforts on riding engagements in North Queensland, but he is roundly acknowledged as being one of the best jockeys in the state and he rode right up to that rating on the very strong $2.90 favourite (only two other horses were quoted in single figures on the betting boards).
After jumping from a favourable draw, Stanley had Ammoudi Bay handily placed in the early part, but he did have to force his way out into clear running on straightening, a move he negotiated successfully, after which he had a clear chase to the finish in which he outgunned the $13 chance V J Day in the run to the line.
“It’s magical,” said Olivia Cairns. “A great run. A great ride.
“The only thing I was worried about was he was going to get stuck behind some slow ones, but he got out.
‘He goes pretty good. He had held his form all of this campaign.
“I was quietly confident, but you always need luck.
“It’s been a big week. We had this in the back of our minds last year. I can’t believe we’ve pulled it off.”
Spare a thought for V J Day, trainer Pat Webster and jockey Gary Geran who were arguably only beaten by the weight turnaround with the winner as Ammoudi Bay carried 6kg less than the Webster trained runner for that one length defeat.
It was a superb effort by the runner-up.
The $7 second favourite Kedleston (Todd Austin/Tommy Berry) and the $31 outsider Jarhead (Rodney Little/Emma Bell) finished third and fourth respectively.
