In-form Pugsley looking for ticket to city

By Jordan Gerrans

Boasting one of the most in-form stables in the bush, Charleville’s William Pugsley is holding out hope he will qualify a runner for the city next month.

In the 2025-26 season so far, the Pugsley yard is striking at more than 30%.

He is knocking on the door of sneaking into the top 10 of the Queensland Country Trainer Premiership.

The 64-year-old has a better strike-rate than every trainer above him on the premiership ladder.

He added to that with a double on his home deck on Melbourne Cup day with Lasco and Edwards both getting the money.

While he prepared two winners, it was a frustrating afternoon in some sense after Pugsley’s race favourite Mistrey Emperor was scratched before the event of the Country Stampede qualifier.

After two straight wins at the track, Mistrey Emperor was well-supported for the 1200 metre heat, but the gelding did not face the starter in the end.

The in-form Pugsley is hopeful of forcing his way into the Country Stampede decider by winning a qualifier at Roma on Saturday, November 15.

“If I can get the horse right, which I think I can, then I will take him to Roma,” he said.

With 10 winners already for the season, Pugsley is on track to surpass his previous high mark of 16 triumphs, which he recorded last term.

The Charleville local has done it all in the bush – he has called the races, he has trained winners, he has strapped as well as taking wagers in the betting ring.

But, he says the backing of Peter Moody – who was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame earlier this year – has changed the outlook for his growing stable.

Recent stable winners Edwards and Bugden were both prepared by the Melbourne training partnership of Moody and Katherine Coleman before lobbing in the Shire of Murweh.

“I have probably got some better horses,” Pugsley said of his strong results this season.

“Peter Moody have sent me a few that go good like Edwards and Bugden. The horses have been going well.

“It took a while for some of them to come right but once it warmed up, they have come right and they are racing good.

“Dan Twist, one of my main owners, is buying some good horses, as well.

“Dan loves his Zoustars and is buying better quality horses such as Greek Star, Transceltic and Roll Up.”

Gold Coast apprentice hoop Amelia Heinrich has found success with Pugsley in recent weeks, including scoring on Mistrey Emperor in the Booringa Cup over 1200 metres at Charleville in late October.

Teenager Heinrich is only in the infancy of her riding journey but is enjoying getting out in the country regions.

"It's been an absolute eye opener and among the best experiences of my life," Heinrich said.

“The best way to beat the dust is just put your head down and try to lead all the way.”

Pugsley prepares a team of five and was set to run stable newcomer Roll Up at Chinchilla on Saturday in a CS qualifier before opting to hold him out for the Clermont meeting in seven days’ later.

“He is going good,” the trainer said of Roll Up.

“He raced on Tuesday and he is probably looking for a bit further, 1100 or 1200 metres.

“I will freshen him up a little bit and go to another race.”