Apprentice Clayton Gallagher has taken the riding honours at the iconic outback Queensland meeting at Birdsville with three winners over the two days including the $40,000 Cup on French Hussler.
Gallagher had a stint riding in south east Queensland but in recent times has been riding in northern NSW.
He had seven rides over the two days at Birdsville on the edge of the Simpson Desert, for three winners, three minor placings and a fourth.
French Hussler’s win in Saturday’s Birdsville Cup (1600m) was not without drama as he had to survive a protest from runner-up Eschiele’s jockey Les Tilley.
Trained by Todd Austin at Barcaldine in central Queensland, French Hussler scored his 13th win and took his prize money to $225,000.
French Hussler did his early racing in Victoria but the nine-year-old had been campaigning in central Queensland for the past four years.
A country jockey and then trainer, Austin has been campaigning at Birdsville for 25 years.
An estimated 8000 people saw 26 trainers and 22 jockeys do battle at Birdsville which was a fully funded TAB country meeting.