Bush Banks on Winning Combo for Amatuers Feature

Townsville trainer Stephen Bush has gone out of his way to ensure  tough galloper Medal and leading jockey Chris Whiteley stick together for Sunday’s Ladbrokes Amateurs Cup at Cluden Park.

The pairing of Medal and Whiteley has produced two impressive wins - at Bowen and in last week’s Ewan Cup - and Bush is hoping the new combo can continue their run of form in Sunday’s feature mile.

He says Whiteley’s engagement has been the key to switching the mercurial Medal back on.

“Chris really gets on with him. He bolted in at Bowen with him and he ran away with it to win his second Ewan Cup last week, both with Chris on him,” Bush said.

“He clicks with him. I actually pulled Medal out of Gordonvale on Saturday because Chris said he was riding at Richmond on Saturday and could come back and ride him here on Sunday.

“He’s a funny horse. He hadn’t won for a fair while since the Bowen Cup last year. He’d just been getting checked in races or boxed in so I just threw Chris on him and he’s been going well the way he’s been riding him.

“I’ve freshened him up again and he’s working well and keen. I’ve been keeping him away from the track and just swimming and jogging and riding in the arena.

“He’s had a history of locking on to them but just waiting, and because of that he could have won a lot more races. 

“But we’ve just been trying a few different things with him at home and it seems to be working.

“He ran third in the Amateur Cup last year and it was a good run. It will be hard on Sunday but you’ve got to have a crack at it.

“It’s no good sitting on the sideline playing B grade all the time. You’ve got to have a crack at A Grade.

“He’s been a good horse for us and he’s tough. The more you back him up the better he goes.”

Bush is undecided on whether to give Medal another shot at the Bowen Cup next Saturday but is already considering a tilt at the rich Country Cup series.

He’s already eyeing off qualifying races at Home Hill and Cooktown.

But in the meantime he will be firmly focused on Sunday’s card where he will also saddle up Redlights On in the Maiden Hcp (1000m) and Fang It in the Living Turf BM 60 Hcp (1609m), a race in which Belynda Kliese will have her first starter as a trainer - You Are King.

The Townsville Turf Club will pay tribute to life member and former official club racing photographer Doug Bruce who passed away recently.

Mr Bruce, an avid racing man, will be remembered with the Vale Doug Bruce Class 6 Handicap (1200m).