Buck each way on taming 850kg beast
MANY cowboys have tried but all have failed to ride legendary bull Apollo Creed whose undefeated record will go on the line this weekend at the Great Northern Bull Ride in Smithfield.
No cowboy has successfully had a qualified ride on Creed of more than eight seconds in more than 60 attempts since the Emerald-based bull joined the tour.
The 850kg beast will feature Saturday night at Ivanhoes Rugby League club – an event that will determine this year’s bull riding champion.
Promoter Peter Brown said while his cowboys were stars in their own right, Creed had developed a cult following.
“Our best rider has been on him three times and each time he’s sat him on his head,” Brown said. “He’s just a good bucking bull … very quick too. He spins at the gate straight from the word go.
“There are some pretty good cowboys out there too so what he’s done is no mean feat.”
Brown said the brahman crossbreed will compete at the Bucking Bull of the Year competition later this month.
Among the cowboys, Charters Towers Raymond Provost is hoping to secure the 2017 National Great Northern Bull Riding Champion title but will face stiff competition from Tully’s Michael Smith.
“Both are very good young riders,” Brown said.
Asked if either would attempt to ride Creed at the weekend, Brown said: “Not if they want to win the title they won’t.”
Mareeba young gun Wyatt Milgate, who is leading the junior bull riding title, will also be competing.