Sport
14 May, 2025
Dynasty continues as Han books berth in Battle of the Bush final
The Barcaldine sprinter continued his love affair with the Buchanan Park surface.
Han Dynasty’s love affair with the sand at Buchanan Park continued on Saturday as the Barcaldine galloper booked a berth in the Battle of the Bush final with a slick win in the qualifier.
Trained by Bevan Johnson, the six-year-old gelding now has 11 wins at Mount Isa from 12 starts.
Ridden a treat in the 1200m heat by apprentice Shae Nielson, Han Dynasty ($1.70) never looked like losing on Saturday.
Perched outside of the leader Metal Bar, Nielson let her mount go at the 400m mark and waltzed to an easy victory.
Just four horses contested the Mount Isa heat, with many trainers bypassing the Battle of the Bush due to not having eligible horses after Racing Queensland made a late change to its qualifying rules.
North West trainers instead sent horses to Gregory and will be at Hughenden this Saturday.
Mount Isa-based owner Donna McConnell said she hoped there would be a firm track in Brisbane for the Battle of the Bush final on June 28 at Eagle Farm.
“He made it to the final of the Country Stampede last year and it was a heavy track,” she said.
“He can be competitive on the grass in Brisbane if he can get a firmer surface.
“He loves Mount Isa – he just absolutely loves it here.
“I think because he started his career on sand that he just loves running on it whenever he gets the chance.”
McConnell said Han Dynasty was bred by her father Robert Thies, who now part-owns the sprint star in partnership with the Johnsons in Barcaldine.
While Han Dynasty won the big race at Mount Isa, his performance was overshadowed by the run of Revolt in the Benchmark 65 over 1100m.
Sent out as a $1.20 favourite after his impressive win on debut in the region, Revolt made it two for two with a massive 10-length win for trainer Jay Morris and owner Andrew Saunders.
Revolt, who was purchased from the Gerald Ryan yard, was gelded before arriving in Mount Isa and looks to be a horse that will quickly rise through the grades.
His impressive time of 1:04.53 over 1100m, with a final 600m of 35.29 when not pushed to the line, suggests the three-year-old will measure up when he gets to open company in the near future.