As Bev Forster waited for the photo finish in the Battle of the Bush Qualifier (1000m) she knew there was nothing in it and held her breath.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “Surely we couldn’t get beat by a nose again.”

The again Forster referred to was Drinking Cocktails’ last start second in Longreach, by a nose, in the Battle of the Bush qualifier. When the decision came through Drinking Cocktails joined Galea Warrior as North West Queensland’s Battle of the Bush representatives in the Doomben final on June 23.

“We went to Emerald early in the year and she beat a really good horse called Ossenhagen. On the way home I was saying to my son, ‘let’s take her to the Battle of the Bush, she’ll win it.’ But it was a dream, I didn’t think she could win it.”

Forster’s galloper Bush Caviar was supposed to be their best chance until injury cut him down. But while fate intervened to give the Forster stable the golden ticket spare a thought for Damgoodchoice’s connections.

Second to Galea Warrior Damgoodchoice was beaten by a nose, after missing the start, along with odds on favourite Avoid the Missus. By the 800 the pair reattached to the pack as only two and a half lengths covered the field.

The two worked their way through the field until they entered the straight level with Drinking Cocktails. With the crowd expecting the two to fight it out Avoid The Missus lost interest and missed a place.

Damgoodchoice edged ahead but jockey Jason Babarovich tapped into Drinking Cocktails courage and she lifted to win by a nose. Local galloper Your Way Or Mine came from further away than Ernest Henry Mine to finish two and three quarter lengths third.

It may have been the first meeting of winter but the racing was hot with four of the five winning margins less than half a length. The only easy winner was Slithering Suzie who had trainer Damien Finter smiling with 500 metres to go in the Class 2 Plate (1200m).

Dan Ballard took him wide and when he entered the straight and got down to business it was a race for second. Four and a half lengths second was Senseofwonder with Leroy Rocks a further one and a quarter lengths third.

Julia Creek trainer Tanya Parry and Mount Isa jockey Keith Ballard bookended the program with wins to Oakfield Sunset and Denlago.

In the Maiden Plate (1000m) My Mind Is Made Up and A’richbrunette were out quickly and two lengths in front at the 800. Ballard slowly made ground and joined them with 500 metres to go.

My Mind Is Made Up dropped off to leave A’richbrunette and Oakfield Sunset fighting it out. Both kept lifting and answering the other’s challenge until Oakfield Sunset hit the line a nose in front.

My Mind Is Made Up finished six and three quarter lengths third and protested over alleged interference by the winner, which was dismissed.

In the final race, the BenchMark 45 Handicap (1400m), Watto’s Jet and Tuning took off like bullets.

Parry had three runners but the gates failed to open for Cedee Prince and Hot Prospect leaving Denlago her only hope.

Denlago moved up to Tuning and Misty Montana hugged the rails into the straight to make it a three way go. As the pressure ratcheted up Tuning fell away and Denlago, after a ding-dong battle with Misty Montanna proved good enough; by a nose, with Tuning four and a half lengths third.

The Class 4 Handicap (1000m) saw the charge of the light brigade into the straight with Tyranny, Hunting, Tidal Rip, Scarlet Jane, Zou Der Zee across the track and Silver Fox caught behind the wall.

Hunting, Tidal Rip and Zou Der Zee cleared out with a 100 to go. Fine Fergus sprouted wings from the back and as Tidal Rip tired Silver Fox took the opening and joined the fight.

Zou Der Zee stayed strong and won by half a length to Hunting with Fine Fergus a neck third, a nose in front of Silver Fox.