Honcho Kicks Off Run to the Classic

Bowen trainer Tom Button wants to see promising youngster Head Honcho capitalise on a massive drop in class at Cluden Park tomorrow on his way to bigger riches in the winter.

Head Honcho is a three time runner-up in Saturday metropolitan class, and will make his northern debut as a raging favourite in the Ladbrokes 2YO Mdn Hcp (1200m).

Button, who relocated his stable from the Gold Coast to Bowen last year, is hoping for an easy “kill” with the Headwater gelding whose main mission is the $100,000 2YO Classic at Cluden on June 8.

He has no doubt about his ability, but wants some wins on the board.

“He’s a half-brother to Kisukano (multiple Brisbane winner) and he’s a lovely big type who I think will be a nice horse for us up here,” Button said.

“I bought him with Archer Park as a yearling for 50k which we thought was good shopping.

“He showed a fair bit early and when I relocated to Bowen last year he was one of the better two-year-olds we had so he stayed down there.

“Archer Park decided they wanted to move the horse up here after his last run in the Jewel at the Gold Coast.

“He put in some very good runs in Brisbane. He did a little bit wrong in those placings too and was still able to run well.

“I’m pretty happy to have the horse up here and I think he’ll be a nice horse for us.

“Coming up here, if he can string a couple of wins together I think that’ll only help build his confidence.

“I thought the two-year-old classic would tie in well with his preparation so that’s the sort of race that we’re aiming at.”

Button has established a strong stable at his new base at the Bowen race track and currently has 14 horses on the books.

A five time Rockhampton premier trainer before a shift south, he has enjoyed a solid start in the north with a steady stream of winners with his in-form apprentice Gabrielle Semmens, including with two-year-olds Hand Granade and Silver Glitter.

Button is further buoyed by the arrival of Magic Millions winning jockey Luke Tarrant who will have his first outing for the stable on Head Honcho tomorrow.

“It’s great to have Luke here and on Head Honcho. At this stage Luke’s here for six months or more with us. He’ll be a great addition to the riding ranks in the North, and it’ll be good for racing here,” Button said.

“Gabbie does a great job as well so we’ve got both ends of the scale covered really with a senior and an apprentice.

“When I came up here I only wanted between 8 and 12 but at the minute we’re fairly full.

“We can handle what we’ve got but we don’t want to get any bigger, and keep a bit of quality in the barn.”

As well as Head Honcho, Button will saddle up Aolani in the Mitavite C1 Hcp (1200m) and thinks the mare will run well.

The stable’s attention will quickly turn to Rockhampton on Saturday where they will saddle up promising filly Silver Glitter in the $150,000 Capricornia Yearling Sale Classic 2YO Plate (1200m).

Townsville will be represented in the race by the Georgie Holt trained Margot Barbie who has been one of the most consistent two-year-olds in training in the north.

Pictured: Head Honcho (left) just goes down to Mishani Eclipse at Doomben in one of the early season two-year-old races in October. The Headwater gedling enjoys a big drop in class in search of his first win at Cluden Park.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.