Sport
5 June, 2024
North West sprinter earns a ticket to $200k feature
The Carpenter is off to the Battle of the Bush final.
Cloncurry's only horse trainer somehow managed to end up with a commute on the weekend but was thrilled with the final result when The Carpenter scored to win the Battle of the Bush heat in Mount Isa on Sunday.
Terry Hall is only new to the North West but is off to a flyer, with seven wins from 10 starters since moving from Oakey.
“It’s a good place to be; both of my brothers live here and I thought the change of environment would be good,” he said.
Winning jockey Jason Hoopert said he was impressed with his mount’s victory and delighted to be offered the ride in the final at Eagle Farm later this month.
“I’m absolutely stoked,” the Mount Isa-based hoop said.
“Normally he jumps out, gets going and keeps going but today two of them took me on so I took a seat and he came off the steel and relaxed for me.
“When they took a breather, I got going and he was strong to the line.”
Hoopert has ridden in a Battle of the Bush final before and said he expected The Carpenter to hold his own in the city.
“I think he’ll go really well. He feels like a horse who will be suited to the style of the race because he has gate speed but has now shown he can take a sit and then sprint when needed.”
Hall said he had no hesitation offering Hooper the ride. Many other trainers will pick city jockeys for the June 29 race.
“It’s called Battle of the Bush for a reason and I reckon Racing Queensland should look into it – we should be seeing bush jockeys get a crack at a big race,” he said.
The trainer wasn’t sure how his steed would fare at Eagle Farm but said he’d likely relocate to Oakey to prepare him for the $200,000 feature race.
“I’ve still got my house down there so we’ll go back for a bit.”