Bush Inn drinking buddies charging their glasses for Bush Whacked

A bunch of old mates who used to hang out at the Bush Inn in Christchurch will be hoping lightning can strike for a fourth time when Bush Whacked debuts at Tauranga on Friday.

The Stephen Marsh-trained three-year-old has a lot to live up to if he is to fulfil the hopes of Denis James and Brian Rabbitt who have small shares in the horse along with Lincoln Farms and its business manager Ian Middleton.

James and Rabbitt, friends of Middleton when he lived in Christchurch for 15 years, were in the Lincoln Farms’ partnership that struck the jackpot when their Jewels winner Beaudiene Boaz was sold for $250,000.

Middleton promised he’d find them another horse and when one of his own two-year-olds failed to meet his reserve at the ready to run sales he invited them to race the galloper with him.

Middleton really liked the Ifraaj colt and despite being later offered more than his $120,000 reserve, he decided to keep him.

Named Prince Hareem, he ran second at his first two starts then won at Hastings and Te Rapa, which saw him sold to Hong Kong for $800,000.

Ian Middleton … “I’ll find you another horse.”“I’ll find you another horse,’’ came the now familiar cry from Middleton.

James and Rabbitt then took shares in Lincoln Farms’ young pacer Beaudiene Western, who on Monday sold for big money to a Perth buyer.

But true to his word, Middleton also found another galloper for the pair, a Sepoy colt they wanted to name The Bush Inn.

Middleton persuaded them it needed an Australian flavour being bred across the Tasman and Bush Whacked was the name finally registered.

“We’re hoping this is the next one we can sell,’’ says Middleton.

“Stephen says he’s above average but first time to the races you just don’t know how he’ll go.’’

In five trials, Bush Whacked has run third, first, second, second and fourth.

“He will definitely improve with the run and he’ll be better over 1400 metres.’’

James and Rabbitt are counting their money already.

Along with their buddies they’ve also had shares in Lincoln Farms’ partnerships which raced Alta Intrigue (sold for $137,500), and three others who sold for $200,000 each, Chachingchaching, Beaudiene Beaufighta and Zach Maguire.