CUP A ‘BUCKET LIST’ WIN
Central Queensland local Nick Walsh is looking to land the biggest win of his short career in Saturday’s Rockhampton Cup with bush hero Bollente, who made his name carrying huge weights to victory in Mt Isa, Barcaldine and Longreach.
Formerly trained by Hall of Fame rodeo rider Ray Hermann, Bollente cut his teeth in Western Queensland before making the move east in search of the northern Cups carnival where he is set to compete at Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.
Born and bred in Rockhampton, Walsh, 23, would love nothing more than to win his hometown Cup and has a live chance with Bollente rated a $6 chance with TAB.
Involved in rodeo when growing up, Walsh said Hermann’s name was revered for his feats overseas, now he would love nothing more than landing the race that means the most to him with Bollente, owned by Hermann’s father Clarry.
“If I was to win the Rocky Cup it would be special, it is something I want to tick off the bucket list so to do it this early would be amazing,” Walsh said.
“I did rodeo a fair bit in my younger days, I had heard of Ray Herman because when you’re growing up riding broncos and those things that’s all you hear about.
“His (Bollente) rating is pretty high and he was getting way too much weight out west. The way he was winning with the weight showed he could stand up here in Rockhampton so they sent him here for the northern carnivals, I was just lucky enough to get him.”
Having only been training for 18 months, Walsh is one of Queensland’s emerging trainers and said he has a solid team of horses in Rockhampton.
Bollente almost delivered Walsh a dream result in just his second run for the stable last month when he second in the $200,000 Battle of the Bush at Eagle Farm.
Carrying 62kg, he was mowed down by Rather Salubrious in the shadows of the post but Walsh believes that run will leave him in good order for the $150,000 Rockhampton Cup.
“It was a really good run in the Battle of the Bush under the weight conditions considering he carried 7kg more than the winner who only just got him on the line,” he said.
“He is a pretty tough bugger this guy. I have won a couple of Jewel qualifiers but this would be the biggest win for sure, I have only been training sort of for 18 months now.”