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Leading Rockhampton trainer Tom Button gives punters a lead for rare Townsville trip.

11 November 2018

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By Glenn Davis

Premier Rockhampton trainer Tom Button rarely ventures to Townsville outside carnival time and is hopeful the eight-hour road trip to Cluden Park on Sunday will be profitable.

Button is dispatching four runners to Townsville and has high expectations of a winning treble.

“I’d like to win three but I’ll be happy with just one,” said the three-times Rockhampton trainers’ premiership winner.

Jockeys Justin Stanley and Rhiannon Payne will share the riding duties on Button’s quartet.

First starter Mad Irish Tycoon will run in the male’s division of the QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1000m) while Woohoo Girl lines up in the filly’s division.

The well performed The Tax Accountant (pictured with Stanley) and last year’s champion Rockhampton two-year-old Ruby Georgie clash in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200m).

“I don’t normally go to Townsville outside of their carnival but I’m going up primarily for the QTIS prizemoney which is very good,” Button said.

“The Tax Accountant is probably my best hope. He was due to race in Brisbane recently when the strike was on.

“Ruby Georgie is in the same race but I think The Tax Accountant is the better horse at this stage but he’s due for a spell soon.”

The Tax Accountant won his first three starts this campaign before a last start second to Marway at Rockhampton on October 11 while Ruby Georgie’s best performance this time up was a last start second to Craiglea Ella at Callaghan Park last month.

Button believes Mad Irish Tycoon has done everything right to make a successful debut.

The son of Tycoon Ruler was a $24,000 at the Magic Millions yearling sales and has been trialling strongly.

“He was only a cheap buy at the Magic Millions sales but he’s looks above average after winning a barrier trial and running second in another,” Button said.

“I was going to send him to Brisbane as well but the meeting at Doomben was washed out that day.

“It’s about to get a lot harder in Brisbane leading up to the Magic Millions so he’ll probably stay at home now.

“Woohoo Girl was also a cheapie buy and she’s got some speed.”

Racing Queensland webnews  November 11