Webster hopeful of his first feature success in Rocky

By Glenn Davis

To say trainer Pat Webster’s move from St George to Toowoomba a few years ago has been a success is an understatement.

Webster was based at outback St George for many years before moving to the Bahram training and spelling facility on Toowoomba’s outskirts two years ago.

With a strike rate now of almost 18 per cent, mostly on the provincial and country circuits, Webster hopes to put his name up in lights again when he saddles Rocky Rich in the Capricornia Yearling Sale Classic at Rockhampton on Saturday.

Victory would be another feather in the cap for the 47-year-old whose biggest claim to fame was winning back-to-back Country Stampede Finals at Doomben with V J Day and Dynamic Verse in 2021 and 2022.

V J Day later went on to finish second to the Olivia Cairns-trained Ammoudi Bay in the Battle Of The Bush Final in 2022.

Rocky Rich was a $15,000 buy at the Capricornia Yearling Sale and was impressive winning his only start in an 1100 metre maiden at Toowoomba on March 23.

A son of Widden Stud sire, Overshare, Rocky Rich has drawn barrier five and will be ridden by Webster’s former apprentice, jockey Les Tilley, in the Callaghan Park feature.

Webster rarely travels to Rockhampton and has never had a runner in the Capricornia Yearling Sales Classic.

“I’ve only ever had two runners at Rocky and I went there earlier this year with this race in mind,” Webster said.

“Rocky Rich was a striking horse when I first got him and very athletic.

“Peter Sinclair, from Moree, originally trained him before he took up a position with Sutton Park over the border.

“Peter gave me a big push to train him and I’m very grateful.

”He was only up to three-quarter pace when I got him and he’s gone on to win a barrier trial and his first start at Toowoomba. He’s been very professional all along.”

Webster was thrilled with Rocky Rich’s debut win over 1100 metres at Toowoomba last month.

“Her got into a bit of trouble early at Toowoomba and had to pull out a few guns to win but he hit the line strongly and was pulling away,” he said.

Webster, who has 32 horses in his barn and shares the Bahram training facility with several other trainers, has been training for three decades after gaining his trainers license as an 18-year-old.

“My father and grandfather were both trainers in St George,” he said.

“I started off there then went to Charleville for a while before going back.”

Webster planned to hit the road to Rockhampton early Friday and hopes the youngster will travel well.

“I think my bloke will be in the market and if he travels well he’ll be competitive,” he said.

“There’s plenty of locals to beat and Clinton Taylor’s horses are always hard to beat.”