Tom ready to press the BOTB button

By Glenn Davis

Bowen trainer Tom Button is not one for giving up and is hopeful of making another bid to claim the Battle of the Bush Final at Eagle Farm in June.

Button will make a five-and-a-half-hour trip from his Bowen base to Innisfail on Sunday hoping Under The Limit can win the Battle of the Bush qualifier over 1200 metres.

A former star Central Queensland jockey and five-time winner of the Rockhampton trainers’ premiership, Button has developed a love affair with Racing Queensland's three country features - the Battle of the Bush, Country Stampede and Country Cups Challenge.

He has targeted the features many times since their inception but is yet to win a major prize.

“You can’t give up and hoist the white flag,” Button said.

“Life is never easy, so I’ll be having another go at the Battle of the Bush.”

Button has attempted to win three country features previously with Under The Limit.

The gelding finished eighth in the Magic Millions Country Cup at the Gold Coast in January of 2024 then went close when he was beaten in a close finish by Peshwa in last year’s Battle of the Bush Final.

Under The Limit also tried to win the Country Stampede Final at Doomben in December but could only manage fifth.

“He just got pipped on the post in last year’s Battle of the Bush Final and it was quite gut wrenching,” Button said.

“It was an unreal feeling and he was there all the way so we’re hoping he can go one better this year.

“But, first he needs to win the qualifier at Innisfail.”

Under The Limit is coming off a last start second to the Lachie Manzelmann-trained Raetihi in a 1000 metre Open Handicap on his home track at Bowen on April 11.

“It was a good run, but the 1000 metres was probably a bit short,” Button said.

“He also got held up slightly which didn’t help his chances.

“He’s going into this qualifier third-up and he’s ready to run 1200 metres.”

Under The Limit - a Tasha Chambers mount - has started once at Innisfail and won a 1200 metre Open Handicap in October of last year.

“I took him to Moranbah two runs back, but he never handled the track, but he won’t have that problem at Innisfail as he’s a winner there,” Button said.

“He’s done a bit of travelling in his time but he’s a good old country horse who deserves to win one of our big country races in Brisbane.”