Ballard hoped to use the opportunity at the Doomben Racecourse to highlight the importance of country racing in the industry, but had little stage time to do so. 

There was another way of doing so and that was through mingling. 

Ballard sat at the same table as the Courier Mail racing editor Nathan Exelby, Queensland’s leading racecaller Josh Fleming, and Queensland Jockeys Association president Glen Prentice. 

Ballard also spoke to racing minister Grace Grace.

She said to the jockey she hoped to meet with him again when she visits Mount Isa for the Multicultural Festival in September. 

“Whether that eventuates or not I don’t know,” Ballard said.

He would use that time with the racing minister to pitch what he felt country racing needed. 

“Frankly, we just want to be left alone,” Ballard said. 

“These clubs do a fantastic job...the real fear from everybody is they are going to shut the door on us. 

“We’re not arguing for a piece of the pie at this stage, but we certainly would like to have our future guaranteed.”

Ballard said there was no government commitment for subsidising country racing beyond four years.

“My hope is that people like Robbie Katter (Mount Isa State MP) getting traction in parliament might encourage politicians to support us in future. 

“You can make a great case for country racing on its own merits.” 

Ballard’s wife Lacey watched him receive the award from Dalby accountant and country racing sponsor Michael Kelly. 

“(I’m) very proud of my husband winning the Queensland Country Jockey’s Premiership and so glad we were able to make it to the awards for him to accept it,” Mrs Ballard posted on Facebook that night. 

“A great achievement and a great representative for bush racing.” 

A notable award recipient of the night was Rob Heathcote, who won his fifth Queensland Horse of the Year Award. He trained this year’s horse Buffering.