Button’s Bowen knowledge a big advantage

By Glenn Davis

Local knowledge is a big advantage in any sport and few know it better around North Queensland’s Bowen track than trainer Tom Button.

Button was based at Bowen for three years before relocating his stables to Townsville in June.

Moving stables has been a regular occurrence for journeyman Button in recent times.

Since retiring as a premiership-winning jockey in Central Queensland, Button began a successful training venture at Rockhampton before itchy feet saw him move several times.

He moved from Rockhampton to the Sunshine Coast and then to Canungra in the Gold Coast Hinterland before Bowen and now Townsville.

“I had 20 boxes at Bowen, but I was getting a bit too big there and was running out of boxes,” Button said.

“I thought it would be better for my horses in Townsville where there’s a lot less travel and a few extra things I can do with them here."

Button will head back to Bowen on Saturday to saddle Hyde Park and The Hairdresser in the Ben Bolt Cup, which is a race he’s keen to win.

“An old jockey at Bowen, Wally Groocock, once told me you’re not a trainer until you train a Ben Bolt Cup winner,” Button said.

“It’s become a race which I’m determined to win.

“I’ve had the favourites in the last three Ben Bolt Cups and I’m yet to win it.”

Button believes his knowledge of Bowen may be an advantage over some of his rivals.

“Both of my horses know Bowen well and have won there, so I’m expecting both will race well,” he said.

However, he was reluctant to separate the pair.

Hyde Park is coming off a last start seventh to the Georgie Holt-trained Tambo’s Justice in a 1300 metre Benchmark race at Townsville on August 1.

The Hairdresser also finished seventh to stablemate Bianca Mia in a 1400 metre Benchmark race at Cluden Park on August 8.

“Hyde Park has got a lot of weight and is probably the better horse than The Hairdresser,” Button said.

“But, The Hairdresser hasn’t had a lot of luck in his recent races and has been racing well.

“Both of them have good chances, but it’s too hard to choose which is the better chance.”