Big bonuses and bragging rights are on the line for Barcaldine bush trainer Todd Austin at this September’s 140th-anniversary edition of the $42,000 Birdsville Races.
Not only will Austin be aiming for a fourth TAB Birdsville Cup in nine years, but he will also be gunning for the biggest trainer bonus in the feature race's history on September 3.
Austin, a former jockey and 2021/22 Queensland Country Trainers Premiership winner, took out the 2022 TAB Birdsville Cup in April with gelding Echo Point.
The Birdsville Cup is being staged twice in 2022 after not being held for the past two years.
If Austin trains back-to-back Cup winners, he'll collect a $10,000 bonus and his share of the $23,300 first prize.
It will also elevate Austin's legacy as the most successful Birdsville Cup trainer in recent times. Besides Echo Point's victory, he won the legendary outback race with Primed in 2013 and French Hussler in 2019.
"It would be amazing to win another Birdsville Cup," Austin said.
"I'm proud of, and I have such a long history with the Birdsville Races, so it's pretty special."
Austin has attended more than 25 Birdsville race meetings as either a jockey and trainer.
In addition to race prizemoney, Birdsville Race Club has offered bonuses of up to $15,000 for any trainer who claims this year's two Birdsville Cups with the same horse.
Unfortunately Austin won't be able to nominate Echo Point in September, nevertheless, he intends to enter a horse in the Cup to be in contention for the $10,000 trainer's double bonus.
This $10,000 bonus paycheque is the biggest in TAB Birdsville Cup history.
Austin isn't alone in his quest for a TAB Birdsville Cup bonus.
All trainers who participated in the historic April 2022 Birdsville Races - even though they didn't win the Cup - are eligible for a $5,000 bonus.
Eligible trainers include:
- John Manzelmann (Mackay, Qld)
- Kym Healy (Strathalbyn, SA)
- Phillip Cole (Darwin, NT)
- David Rewald (Blackhall, Qld)
- Shryn Royes (Richmond, Qld)
- Gary Bignell (Cunnamulla, Qld)
- Kellie Monckton (Warwick, Qld)
- Ross Meek (Emerald, Qld)
- Nippy Seymour, (Mackay, Qld)
- Tracy Simmons (Mackay, Qld)
Austin is also planning to field additional gallopers over the two-day 13-race carnival, on September 2-3, and likes his odds of picking up some extra wins.
"At this stage, we will probably take around 10 horses to Birdsville and I think we'll have at least one set for the Cup," Austin said.
He is quick to acknowledge the efforts of his team and family in his Birdsville success. He works closely with his wife, Toni training horses at their Barcaldine stables.
"We hope Toni can travel out with us again in September – if her work's too busy at the time we'll have to fly the flag for her," he said.
The couple is part of several syndicates which co-own horses they train, and they work with a stellar team of bush jockeys including fellow Barcaldine dweller Brooke Richardson, who rode Echo Point to victory in April.
Richardson is planning to join Austin for another tilt at the Birdsville Cup in September.
While not at April event levels, the Birdsville Race Club will continue to provide significant travel bonuses and incentives for trainers and jockeys that participate in the upcoming Birdsville Races.
Trainers travel rebates start with $150 per horse and a $300 once-off fuel rebate per trainer while jockeys receive a $300 travel rebate.
Tickets to the 2022 Birdsville Races are on-sale at www.birdsvilleraces.com.
Limited tickets remain to the RFDS Birdsville Races Gala on September 1, 2022.
