Central West star aiming for city opportunity

By Jordan Gerrans

Dubbed “the most exciting horse in the region”, the red-hot Grand Palazzo gets her chance to push for higher honours on Saturday afternoon.

The last Battle of the Bush heat for 2023 with be held at Barcaldine on Saturday afternoon, with barns travelling from across the Sunshine State for their final chance to book their position in the decider.

The Battle of the Bush series comprises 16 qualifiers, which started back on April 15, culminating in a Final at Tattersall’s Tiara race day at Eagle Farm on Saturday, June 24.

With 15 heats already run and won, a field of 12 will assemble at Barcaldine for the last chance to sneak in.

Toni Schofield – who trains on the track at Barcaldine – will have two starters in Saturday’s heat over 1200 metres, headlined by the in-form Grand Palazzo.

The five-year-old mare has won her last three and five of her last seven starts.

One keen form follower in the Central West this week branded Grand Palazzo “the most exciting horse in our region”.

“She was a maidener 12 months ago and now she is in Open Company,” Schofield replied when told of the praise for her galloper.

The mare previously did her racing with Robert and Luke Price in NSW and could not break through in 14 attempts.

Since the daughter of All Too Hard has arrived in regional Queensland with Schofield, Grand Palazzo has racked up seven victories from 16 trips to the races.

While she is racing against lower-classed gallopers around the Central West compared to NSW, there is no doubting Schofield and her team have done an outstanding job with the mare.

“She has matured a fair bit, when she arrived she was a bit scrawny but she has blossomed in the last eight or so months,” Schofield said.

“She loves Barcaldine, she has started there six times for five wins and a second by a nose.

“She keeps stepping up every time we put her in the deep end.”

Grand Palazzo and regular rider Matthew Gray will need to contend with the widest barrier of the dozen on Saturday at Barcaldine.

Schofield – a former jockey who rode under her maiden name of Hall – is not overly worried about the tricky draw.

“At least there is a lot of speed in the race so she should get across no worries,” she said.

“She likes to get back in her races. Matty won't panic on her.

“This is probably one of the strongest heats for the year in the Battle of the Bush.”

Stable mate Cozhecancan has also drawn wide for Saturday.

Cozhecancan has also been in strong form, running in the money in five of his last six starts.

Schofield thinks the veteran gelding might be looking for a bit more trip than what he faces this Saturday.

“The 1200 metres is probably a bit short for him really,” she said.

“He is really looking for the 1400 metres or 1500 metres.

“He has won there over 1200 metres before. He has found some good form again, the old boy.”

Schofield is enjoying a career best season in the training ranks and will have her maiden starter in a BOTB heat this week.

She was set to have one contest an earlier heat at Emerald before scratching because of a wide gate.

The Schofield barn has six starters on their home track on Saturday, with the trainer also confident Jerry Zanda in the Benchmark 55 Handicap and Yule My Hero over 1000 metres will also be competitive.

Schofield will not be the only trainer with two runners in the final BOTB heat for the year.

Roma’s Wayne Baker, Henry Forster from Ilfracombe and Ben Waldron – also from Roma – will have multiple runners in the event.

Click here for more information on the Battle of the Bush Series.