Tough gelding Kakakenny is ready to live up to his nickname as the “Chautauqua of the Bush” when he steps out for the first time on the big Eagle Farm track.
Kakakenny will join other winners or placegetters from heats run at 16 tracks throughout Queensland in Saturday’s Battle Of The Bush final (1200m).
It is the second time the race has been run with the $100,000 final won by Mason’s Chance at Doomben last year.
Like the now-retired Chautauqua, Kakakenny has developed a habit of standing in the barriers, although he does eventually get moving.
That is not where he got his nickname. Instead it is because of his grey colour and his racing style which is similar to Chautauqua’s drop out and charge home late pattern.
It was evident when Kakakenny won his heat at Longreach when he gave the leaders six lengths from the 200m but mowed them down on the line.
Illfracombe trainer Rod Little is confident a big track like Eagle Farm will suit Kakakenny.
“He ran in the Battle of the Bush final last year and finished midfield,” Little said.
“This time he will get plenty of time to wind up on the bigger track.”
Little, as is the case with all country trainers, is aig fan of the Battle concept.
“It is a chance for us to race for good prize money in the heats and big money in the final,” Little said.
He pointed out that Kakakenny had won nine races but would earn almost as much as his combined prize money if he took first prize of $72,000.
“We are a way off winning it just yet but he will be storming home,” he said.
Former Brisbane apprentice Brooke Richardson has been riding in country Queensland for several years and will return to the city to partner Kakakenny.
“Brooke knows exactly how to ride him so we have stuck with her,” Little said.
