COUNTRY trainer Bevan (Billy) Johnson is in the throes of packing up his stable in Miles ahead of a shift to Bouldercombe in Central Queensland.
Johnson believes the move will place him closer to major regional TAB racing centres such as Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Mackay and Townsville as well as Gladstone and Clermont.
He says it will save travel time and be easier on staff and horses, who trek thousands of kilometres each season in pursuit of racing opportunities.
In the meantime, Johnson has his sights set on the Chinchilla Cup program on December 14.
He has accepted with runners in four races, including the Procrew Cup (1400m).
The stable will open its racing account on the day in the Vanderfield Class B Handicap (1030m) with Rural Rebel engaged.
To be ridden by Dakota Graham, Rural Rebel will be contesting its 11th start. The previous 10 runs by the three-year-old have produced a win in a Kilcoy Maiden and three other placings.
Graham will also be aboard Rosover in the Craig Black Patron (1200m).
Rosover has been a model of consistency since mid-winter with a win or placings at his past seven runs.
The sequence began with a third placing at Ilfracombe on July 13 before a second at Clermont on July 27, 3rd in Charleville (August 10), Cunnamulla third on August 17, a second and a win at Birdsville on consecutive days on September 6 and 7 and a last start third at Longreach (August 28).
Smarty Jack (Graham) and Loretta's Rose (Paul Randall) will run for the stable in the Hardcore Maiden (1400m).
In the Cup stablemates Artie's Shore (Graham) and Thin Disguise (Randall) will renew their battles after they provided the quinella at Thangool on November 30.
With Natalea Summers in the saddle, Thin DIsguise prevailed in a photo finish but will meet the nine-year-old Artie's Shore on worse weight terms.
Artie's Shore is one of the biggest earners competing on the day with more than $305,000 in prizemoney harvested from his 77 starts.
At Esk, the guys Paul Hamblin (Bris Vegas), Minehiko Shimodaira (Instantaneous) and Nathan Frazackerley (Coalbank Caviar) will be outnumbered by the girls in the Jonathon Ross Memorial (800m).
They will be up against Hannah Phillips (Good Grab), Cecily Eaton (Strive To Succeed), Montanna Savva (Ask Audrey), Kelly Gates (Dave's Valour), Stephanie Lacy (Denman Quality) and Madeleine Wishart (Last Round).