Button Chases Winning Start for Stable Move, but Speaks Out On Handicapping

Trainer Tom Button is confident his stable relocation to Townsville and new partnership with jockey Ben Kennedy can come up trumps at Cluden Park on Sunday.

Button is expecting strong runs from Heart Of Vienna in The Ville 2YO QTIS Mdn (1000m), Russian Mint and Hellish in the Belle Property Open Hcp (1000m) and Hyde Park in the feature, the Ladbrokes Magnetic Island Mile (1609m). 

But in his enthusiasm for Sunday’s chances, he saved a rocket for Racing Queensland handicappers over the treatment of his other Open Hcp runner Northern Pride who will have to carry a massive 65kg.

A Cup tilt could beckon for Hyde Park if he can capture Sunday’s carnival lead-up, which offers the winner automatic start in the Townsville Cup on August 8.

Button said Hyde Park was primed for a big run after a flashing fourth behind rival Going Nuclear at Cluden over Sunday’s distance on June 16.

“I think the horse is flying this prep. He hasn’t had much luck, but all of his runs have been good,” Button said.

‘He was certainly stiff last start. He got back and didn’t get out until late but he going two to their one through the line.

‘It’s a similar sort of field with the addition of Smart Legend, who will be hard to beat, but I think on weights he should get his chance.

“In my opinion I think he’d be tested at 2000m, but if he wins I’ll certainly be thinking about the Cup.”

Button, who has been based in Bowen for the past few years, shifted his operation to Townsville a fortnight ago and has linked with ex-WA jockey Ben Kennedy.

Kennedy will ride Hyde Park, the strongly fancied Heart Of Vienna and Russian Mint while Ryan Wiggins has been booked for Hellish.

“We’ve got 13 in work here, which is a full house at the moment and we’ll be looking for another barn for some young ones coming through. Ben’s been an important addition to the stable and it’d be great to get him away with a winner or two,” Button said.

“He’s a good rider and hard worker and I think we’ve got a couple of good chances. Hyde Park will be suited, Heart Of Vienna looks hard to beat and I expect Russian Mint and Hellish (Ryan Wiggins) to race well.”

But Button joined a growing number of trainers critical of Racing Queensland’s handicapping of northern races after Northern Pride received 65kg, only outdone by top weight Yes Dream who has 66kg.

He said the north’s best horses were being punished with massive weights and being forced into early retirement.

“I’ve been pretty loud about the handicapping. I’ve spoken to a few people in Racing Queensland and the trainer’s association and I think it’s a real detriment to North Queensland racing in general,” Button said.

“Every week you look at the acceptances and there’s horses carrying 64kg, 65kg and 66kg.

“They’re our best horses and they’re chasing them out of racing.

“They’re not good enough to go south and you just can’t continue to carry those weights without ruining the horse and turning away owners.

“I really believe we should have quality handicap races where the top weight carries a maximum of 62kg.

“You still handicap to other horses. The horses on 54kg are still 16 to 18 rating points lower than you.

“Most open races are run within that 18 point range. Horses on the minimum are still getting 8kg less than the top weight. That’s plenty.

“But this carrying huge weights for our best horses is actually ruining North Queensland racing because every year you’re retiring them rather than busting them. There’s nowhere to go with them other than the carnival for one or two months of the year.

“It’s been three years since Northern Pride won the Cleveland Bay. I sent him to Brisbane because of weight and it cost me $20,000 for the prep without a cent return. He’s not good enough down there.

“Horses like Speed Legend and Roweiner’s Dance, a number of good young horses coming through are in the same boat. They’re our best horses and they’re chasing them out.

“They’re the reason people turn up to races and why owners get into racing up here.

“They’ve been putting on set weights races out in the bush. I don’t believe set weights races are that fair and aren’t the solution.

“The same horses will win all the time. If you put 1000m Set Weights Opens on at Cluden, Roweiner’s Dance would win 8 out of 10.

“I really think they should be running qualities.”