The punters had no doubt.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
They backed Deadly Choices into $1.35 to retain the Mount Isa Spring Cup it won in 2019, then famously going onto win the Country Cups challenge for trainer Damien Finter and jockey Dan Ballard.
The bookies were right to be worried though it was a close run thing. Race 4, the Country Cups Challenge Qualifier / Cava Group Spring Cup Open Handicap had $20,000 prize money on offer and it seemed as if Terrence Hill was going to edge the Steven Royes-trained Loud Enough to victory.
But Ballard pushed the champion over the line first by a short line for a thrilling victory that saw a huge roar from the appreciative sell-out Buchanan Park crowd.
Snippy Strategic finished three and a half lengths back in third,
A great day of racing had started earlier with race 1, the Steejo Press QTIS Maiden Plate over 1000m which was brought home by Terrence Hill on the Tanya Parry-trained Isa Princess.
The mare stormed clear to beat Lingy by four lengths with another princess, Black Princess finishing third.
Race 2 was another qualifying event this time for the new Country Stampede, the Country Stampede Qualifier Open Handicap over 1000m with $12,000 prize money.
Wicked Wiki added to its fine reputation to ensure the Parry-Hill combination had their second win of the day and book a date in Doomben in December.
Wicked Wiki won by two lengths from Tempesta Rossa with Ansinna a further length behind in third.
The winning trainer and jockey combination had to be satisfied with a second place in Race 3 the APG Glass Class B Handicap over 1450m though Parry scored the win again with another jockey.
This time it was Keith Ballard aboard the $8 chance Ignite the Magic which finished three lengths clear of Hill aboard Under Restraint, with Making Shadows finishing third.
Parry completed a four wins out of five set in the final race of the day the Trevor Morris Builders Lord Derby Stakes Class 3 Plate over 1200 metres.
In another tight finish her horse Bacchur - a $26 last race roughie if ever there was one - with Jason Babarovich aboard hung on by a short neck to beat another Parry-trained horse Such a Drama Queen ridden by Keith Ballard.
King London finished third.
Racing moves to Richmond this Saturday followed by a TAB meeting in Cloncurry on Friday October 9.
READ MORE: New Dirt N Dust committee needed
While you are here, subscribe to our weekly email delivered to your inbox every Tuesday and Friday.