Webster and Tilley to climb the mountain together

By Jordan Gerrans

A close-knit relationship developed at the dusty non-TAB tracks in regional Queensland many decades ago is bidding to climb the mountain at Clifford Park on Friday afternoon.

The combination of jockey Les Tilley and trainer Pat Webster has been a lethal one for many years, dating back to when the rider was an apprentice to the astute bush horseman at St George.

Webster has delivered Tilley with the most winners of any trainer in his career and the same can be said for the jockey handing Webster victories.

Now both based on the Darling Downs, the Tilley and Webster team are shooting for much higher honours than their early days on the country circuit and firmly have Friday’s King of the Mountain crown in their sights.

After a few weeks of wheeling and dealing, Group-level galloper It’sourtime has transferred from Melbourne to Webster’s barn and will tackle the slot race that will be held for $750,000.

On the surface it appears that Tilley and Webster are just your regular jockey and trainer team but in reality – they are more like family.

“My parents (Ross Tilley and Carmel Baker) used to ride for Pat when Pat and his wife Kelly used to live in Charleville,” Tilley said.

“Kelly was my third grade teacher, so I have known them for quite a few years.

“Pat, Kelly and the rest of them took me in as one of their own when I moved to St George as an apprentice and it has grown since then, we have had so much success together over the years.

“I would like to think in the coming years it can just keep on growing.

“Pat is a big part of my family and hopefully I am a big part of his family, as well.”

Webster is still training plenty of winners in the bush, headlined by his recent results at St George, Warwick and Wandoan.

But, following his relocation to Toowoomba a couple of years ago, he is now prolific at Clifford Park, Ipswich and in the city.

“Pat has done a really good job,” Tilley said.

“Moving from St George to Bahram training and spelling centre has really kick-started his career, both of our careers basically. We have won some big races together and we have some really nice horses going forward.

“I think he has worked Bahram out to be a really good pattern with the way he trains.”

Tilley’s parents were involved with Webster before the jockey made his way into the riding ranks and the current generation is following a similar path.

With Webster away at the Magic Millions sales earlier this week, his son Jett has taken on a greater responsibility ahead of the KOTM.

When the Webster camp shifted from St George to Toowoomba a couple of years ago to test themselves at a higher level, the experienced trainer noted that his son Jett was keen on the gallopers and wanted to be more hands on with the team.

“He has been really loyal to us and rides trackwork for us almost every morning,” Jett said of Tilley.

“He rides most of our racehorses, as well.

“We have got a really good relationship with Bubba (Tilley) and the results speak for themselves.”

It’sourtime will take his position in Friday’s sprint event in the High Calibre Racing and Palmerbet slot.

The seven-year-old was previously prepared by champion trainer Danny O'Brien in Melbourne and was beaten by almost five lengths in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington earlier this month.

He claimed the Group 3 Standish Handicap at the same track in the first month of this year.

With the conditions of the KOTM changed this year to allow interstate gallopers to run in the Clifford Park showpiece event, It’sourtime certainly brings different and intriguing form lines to the race.

The reimagined race is now open to all horses aged three and older, with trainers and jockeys from across the nation now eligible to take their place.

“Following the change of conditions for the King of the Mountain, it has broadened the appeal for the race, Australia wide,” Toowoomba Turf Club CEO Grant Sheather said.

“It is fantastic for the branding of this event to have horses like It'sourtime and others coming to Toowoomba.”

Sheather said It'sourtime's part-owner Luke Berger played a key role in landing It'sourtime in the KOTM.

“He was instrumental in getting the horse up here,” Sheather said.

“They did the deal with High Calibre.”

High Calibre Racing’s managing director Dale Maguire believes Webster can get the best out of It'sourtime.

“Pat has been there and done it – so we are really excited to see what kind of dust Pat can sprinkle over the horse,” Maguire said.

While the Tilley and Webster combination is key ahead of Friday afternoon, so is the influence of Berger.

Berger has been in the ownership group of some of Webster’s best gallopers over the years, including V J Day and Skyforger, among others.

Webster won the Country Stampede Final with his former stable star V J Day in 2021 and backed up the following year to win with Dynamic Verse.

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.

The trainer claimed the Country Cups Challenge Final last year in dominant fashion with Skyforger as Tilley did the steering.

Tilley has a close connection with Berger and says the owner was adamant where It'sourtime would be trained when they were completing the deal with the previous connections.

“Luke said he was going to Pat’s, no matter what,” Tilley said.

“Now, here we are here with a good King of the Mountain ride.”

The Webster stable have made their name in country feature races such as the BOTB, CCC and Country Stampede.

Pat’s son Jett says it goes to another level on Friday.

“He has arrived in good order and he has not missed a feed since,” Jett said of It'sourtime.

“It is really exciting times because we have never really had a runner like this in a big race like this before.

"We just need to make sure everything is right and goes to plan.”

Tilley is dreaming of lifting the KOTM crown for the first time after running third in the most recent edition with former Rockhampton warhorse Master Jamie.

It'sourtime is on a path towards the 2025 The Archer in Central Queensland following the KOTM.

It'sourtime was handed the two starting position at Tuesday’s KOTM barrier draw.