Pugsley eyes Battle of the Bush breakthrough

By Glenn Davis

Former country race caller turned trainer William Pugsley hopes for a successful hit when he has a throw at the stumps with Roll Up in the Battle of the Bush qualifier at Cunnamulla on Saturday.

Pugsley, affectionately known as “Pugs” to the locals in South West Queensland, has never had a starter in a Battle of the Bush Final.

However, he did venture to Brisbane when he made the eight-hour haul for the Country Stampede Final with Tourmaster, who finished among the tailenders behind the Pat Webster-trained V J Day in 2021.

The $200,000 Battle of the Bush Final will be held at Eagle Farm on June 27, with the final three qualifying heats conducted this Saturday at Cunnamulla, Gympie and Barcaldine.

Pugsley is striking at 20.3% this season with 15 wins from 74 starters, but is currently in the middle of a mini-form slump.

The conditioner has gone 17 starts without training a winner since his five-year-old gelding Edwards was successful at Cunnamulla.

Pugsley, who trains a team of six at Charleville, which is about a two-hour drive from Cunnamulla, had planned to also saddle Mistrey Emperor in the 1200 metre qualifier on Saturday.

“I thought Mistrey Emperor was a good chance in the race, but unfortunately he's got a stone bruise,” Pugsley said.

Roll Up is coming off a last start sixth in the 1400 metre Tambo Cup on May 30.

“I thought Mistrey Emperor was my best chance as he loves 1200 metres,” Pugsley said.

“I bought him off Graham Green in Rockhampton for $5,000 and I’ve won 10 races with him now.

“But, Roll Up is still a very good chance as he swallowed his tongue at Tambo, so I’m using a tongue control bit on him this time.

“If Roll Up qualifies, he’ll go to Brisbane to have a chop at the Final.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to run in a race worth $200,000.”

Pugsley has been training on and off for more than 30 years but has spent most of his life in the racing game.

“I trained and called races at the same time for around 20 years,” Pugsley said.

‘‘I took up training just after Dad died in 1996. When I wasn’t training or calling races, I used to work as a bagman for a bookmaker at Charleville.”

Pugsley mixes his training duties with a full-time job working for Queensland Rail at Charleville.

“I get up at three each morning and get the horses worked and fed before I start work as a track worker for Queensland Rail,” he said.

“I get a lot of help around the stable from my wife and my two grown-up kids, Lisa and Brendan.”