By Glenn Davis
Bad barriers have plagued Sunshine Coast trainer Tom Button’s attempt to claim his first Capricorn Yearling Sales Classic at Rockhampton on Tuesday.
Button has been frustrated in his attempt to win the 1200-metre central Queensland feature with two placings in the past four years.
He ran second with The Bank Manager in 2017 while Ruby Georgie finished third in 2018.
This year, Button has three starters but all have drawn the car park.
Goodbye Earl drew barrier 18, Miss Lot Won drew gate 17 while The Silver Lady drew 13.
“I’ve been trying to win this race for the past few years but The Bank Manager was my best result when he ran second three years ago,” Button said.
Button, who has won the past five Rockhampton trainers’ premierships, now runs a satellite stable in the central Queensland city after relocating to Caloundra six months ago.
He has decided to base himself at Rockhampton where he has nine horses in work for the duration of the Coronavirus crisis, which has restricted racing into zones throughout Queensland.
Button believes this year’s Capricorn Yearling Sales Classic is an open affair and has given punters a pointer by choosing The Silver Lady as the pick of his trio.
“It’s a wide open race again this year and I just think The Silver Lady is my best chance,” Button said.
“She deserves to be one of the favourites while Miss Lot Won probably has the form around Away Game who won the Magic Millions.”
The Silver Lady was a $40,000 buy as a yearling and has been racing consistently in the State’s south-east.
At her last start she finished fourth to the Paul Butterworth-trained Charlie Sphene over 1100 metres at the Gold Coast on March 21.
“The Silver Lady has had a good preparation for this and it was a good run when she ran fourth last time,” he said.
“Unfortunately, she’s drawn 13 but she’s the best of my runners.
“Miss Lot Won is the best horse of mine in the race but she’s drawn widely and 1200 metres is a bit of a risk for her at her first attempt over the distance.”
Button rates the Jamie McConachy-trained Accardo as the hardest to beat in this year’s race.
Accardo has drawn ideally in barrier four and has started twice for a second on debut at Rockhampton on March 5 before a last start fourth over 1300 metres to the Chris Munce-trained Papaya at Eagle Farm on March 25.
Racing Queensland webnews - April 6