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Han Dynasty, ‘Rodeo Thursday’ and a new apprentice jockey – it is a combination that is hard to hold out at this time of year.
As they do every year in the early stages of August, North West Queensland club Mount Isa take centre stage across the Sunshine State with a rare TAB meeting this Thursday afternoon.
And, over the last couple of years the Bevan Johnson-prepared Han Dynasty has been a star of the occasion on the sand at Mount Isa.
The five-year-old gelding has won on the programs of the last two 'Rodeo Thursday' race meetings.
He will be out to keep the winning sequence alive on Thursday in an Open Handicap over 1000 metres.
The meeting – which will consist of seven races – coincides with the Mailman Express, which is one of the most popular events in the outback city.
Named after the late Wally Mailman, the Mailman Express showcases station horses racing against the clock in a timed 200 metre sprint down the straight.
The Mailman Express is the traditional lead in event to kick-start the rodeo festivities in Mount Isa this weekend, regarded as the highest attended event in the area.
It was apprentice Olivia Kendal who kick-started Han Dynasty's winning run in August of 2021 before Johnson stable apprentice Tyler Leslight kept it rolling last year.
It will be Sunshine Coast-based youngster Brodie Moffat in the seat on Thursday as Han Dynasty aims to make it three straight victories with a new apprentice rider on board on Thursday.
"I am hoping it can keep going," Moffat said.
Han Dynasty has worked through his grades over the years, claiming a Class 1 Handicap for Kendal before scoring in a Benchmark 65 for Leslight last year.
The galloper has been able to win with the riders' in the early stages of their careers and help kick them along.
Kendal and Leslight both claimed three kilograms in their victories while Moffat will take four kilograms from his allotted 65 kilograms on Thursday.
Han Dynasty is undefeated on the sand of Mount Isa, winning twice at the annual Rodeo TAB meeting, before adding two more non-TAB triumphs earlier this year.
Moffat – who is the son of fellow Queensland hoop Morgan Butler – commenced his tenure as a jockey in perfect fashion, scoring with his maiden race ride at Gympie last month.
The 22-year-old has since added a couple more winners to his resume, both coming at Tambo.
To ride three winners from his first 14 race rides is a promising achievement but Moffat believes there is still plenty of room for improvement.
He has reached out to leading jockeys such as James Orman and Ben Thompson, among others, for advice.
"I am still learning a lot and it is all good experience for me," Moffat said.
"I am always asking for advice from the senior jockeys after every race meetings, just seeing if I have done anything wrong – I always ask for that help.
"We are all out there to keep each other safe and hopefully give our horse the best chance possible.
"I am not afraid to speak up and chase up other jockeys for their opinions. Lots of those have helped me with my style and gear."
Moffat is indentured to Damien Batters at the Sunshine Coast.
He takes four rides at Mount Isa on Thursday, all for Barcaldine horseman Johnson.
"Han Dynasty has a bit of a name for himself and Vila Tinto and Miss Miraculous, I like their form," Moffat said.
"My Dad previously trained Cardano, so I have had a bit of experience riding her. Out there, Cardano has improved a lot."
Moffat is happy to travel far and wide for his riding opportunities in the early stages of his career, returning from Mount Isa on Thursday to head to Gladstone on Saturday before likely taking rides at Gatton next Tuesday.
He is also considering a loan spell out in the bush to pick-up more consistent race rides.
"I am keen to head out as far as I need to get as many race rides and experience that I can get," Moffat said.
Also on the program for Thursday, bush icon Fab's Cowboy is chasing the 50th win of his storied career.
Fab's Cowboy ran seventh at his last start at Bundaberg but returns to a track where he has won at before.
