MY CALL: 'BATTLE OF THE BUSH' CONCEPT IS A WINNER

By David Fowler | Tuesday, June 26, 2018

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

Sometimes you make a statement and then immediately reconsider it.

This is a situation you try and avoid at all costs, particularly in public forums, as a perception of indecisiveness can be created.

But constructive discussion can emanate from opinion based on fact.

(Note to some, the reverse of fact automatically based on opinion, often peddled, is not acceptable)

So my Monday Morning Radio TAB PRESS ROOM comments not to tinker or tweak the “Battle Of The Bush” concept deserves reconsideration.

In essence, as outlined on air, Racing Queensland “picked a winner and backed a winner”.

My only suggestion was that it’s unqualified success could entice a prizemoney hike through a willing brand sponsor.

One PRESS ROOM contributor opined … “country horses, country trainers, country race caller, think it should be restricted to country jockeys only”

Interesting observation and worthy of discussion but who qualifies as a “country jockey” is a legitimate question.

The Courier-Mail’s Nathan Exelby raised the issue of was the Battle Of The Bush scheduled correctly in the Carnival timetable.

My initial reaction was “yes it is” because the concept worked so well but a case for alternative placement would be interesting to digest.

And I’m sure those in the country putting the product on may have ideas for the future.

It’s generally considered the “first go” on any project is never easy so to execute it so well speaks volumes for the concept.

So maybe my “keep your hands off it” approach was a tad hasty.

However, one point can’t be argued.

Future discussion on a rolled gold winner can only be a good thing and a welcome breath of fresh air.

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Another aspect of the Battle Of The Bush is worthy of discussion.

Betting turnover is such an important yardstick these days so how did the “Battle Of The Bush” fare in this department.

There was legitimate pre-race concern that lack of data (particularly visual) could be a turn-off for the punter.

Yet Ubet figures clearly demonstrate the race more than held it’s own.

The pari-mutuel holds were consistent with its placement as race three of a nine race card.

And it was popular with fixed odds punters not only in the volume of bets but comparing favourably to some “better class” races.

I’m reliably informed the only sad faces were Ubet fixed odds bookies who suffered a nasty result when Masons Chance scored a last gasp victory.

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Battle Of The Bush racecaller Brett Moody is a gentleman.

Not only was the broadcast accurate and exciting, the privilege of him being the inaugural BOTB caller wasn’t lost on myself or colleague Josh Fleming.

From a caller’s point of view, this was never going to be an easy task whoever was behind the binoculars.

Brett took ownership of the race which was clearly evident in the lead-up and then during the race itself.

His armoury of the facts and figures of the 16 horse line-up was outstanding.

Above all, he was humbled to be asked.

“That’s my career highlight,” he told me later in the day.

A thorough gentleman.

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Tattersalls Racing Club has a very strong country membership.

Expect that to be utilised in the promotion of next year’s Battle Of The Bush.

That’s providing the race stays where it is.

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