Schrader has Big Red in sights during homecoming

By Jordan Gerrans

Geoffrey Schrader called Bedourie home for more than three decades and he is back on the ‘River Circuit’ in 2025 chasing a trio of sprint features. 

He knocked over the first leg at Betoota on Saturday when Zena Boy claimed the $15,000 Open Handicap over 1000 metres. 

The veteran conditioner and his five-year-old gelding face their toughest task yet of the trip on Friday when they front up to the all-new Big Red race at Birdsville.

Birdsville organisers have declared the new sprint race worth $40,000 has revitalized the popular bush carnival with a stack of more interest in 2025. 

After Birdsville, it is on to Bedourie where the now Jandowae-based trainer managed a cattle station for upwards of 30 years. 

“It is good, really, to be back out here again,” Schrader said.

“We came back a few years after we first left and then we gave it a break. I thought this year it was getting back near time to go again.

“We all love racing on the circuit, seeing all your old mates and that.”

The veteran horseman relocated from Bedourie to Jandowae in 2010.

He has enjoyed a strong last couple of seasons, preparing a total of 17 winners while striking at more than 11%.

Schrader entered four from his team at Betoota’s meeting last Saturday with consistent Zena Boy the best performed, claiming the feature sprint race on the card by almost a length under the riding of Barcaldine-based hoop Jason Missen. 

The son of Holler has been a clever buy for Schrader and his connections as he has only been unplaced twice in 11 attempts since he joined his stable earlier this year.

The Betoota Race Club is the track where Schrader has enjoyed his most success in his tenure in the industry and he was pleased to see Zena Boy run well ahead of his tilt at the Big Red.

“He has been going real good,” the trainer said.

“Every time we start him, he seems to be able to get a place and he has won a few. He has won three for us now so that’s pretty good.

“He is a lovely horse to look after and all the jockeys seem to get on with him ok.”

It would be a career-best victory for the 77-year-old trainer in terms of prizemoney stakes if Schrader’s stable star could steal Friday’s Big Red. 

Birdsville Race Club Vice-president Gary Brook believes the introduction of the new $40,000 sprint has helped reshape the carnival and has led to more nominations in Saturday’s Cup, as well. 

“The introduction of the Big Red to complement the Birdsville Cup has really helped to spark interest,” Brook said.

“It’s fantastic to see trainers bringing teams of horses to Birdsville from far and wide.

“It's vital really for regional communities to have these events to bring the dollar and the tourists through. 

“The races generate between $5 to $7 million to the Queensland economy, which is a significant amount to the local economy.”

Hoop Brendon Newport has been booked to ride Zena Boy on Friday, which will be his first sit on the galloper in a race.

“There is some good horses in this race,” Schrader said of Friday's Big Red. 

“I give him a bit of a chance.”

As well as Zena Boy, the Schrader camp also has Whataboom, Luminous Waters and Prooinga nominated across both days of the Birdsville carnival. 

The eight-year-old Prooinga is nominated for Saturday’s $60,000 Cup but with 28 horses nominated, he is unlikely to force his way into the final field of 12.

Prooinga will instead head to a mile Benchmark 55 event instead. 

A record 135 horses representing 32 trainers have been nominated for the two-day Birdsville Cup carnival with horses, trainers and riders descending from across Australia on the regional Queensland community.